Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Afghanistan made a positive start to the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019, emerging 3-2 extra-time winners against Malaysia in a highly competitive opening Group A match.
Afghanistan captain Sami Ullah Mohammadi scored in the opening seconds of extra-time to seal their eventual success, which gives them two competition points,
Looking to atone for their loss to the same opponents in the opening match of the 2017 tournament, Malaysia asked plenty of questions of Shabab Shah Alavi in the early stages, forcing the Afghanistan goalkeeper into numerous early interventions.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Lebanon withstood an early challenge from China PR to register a 5-3 win in the opening match of the AFC Beach Soccer Championship on Thursday.
In their first game under Spanish coach Ramrio Amarelle, China PR remained competitive until the final period, but two goals apiece from Hussein Abdullah and Haitham Fattal sealed three points for a Lebanese side chasing a first ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup berth.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: A third-place finish at the 2017 Beach Soccer World Cup and the recent capture of the 2018 Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup title underline Islamic Republic of Iran's credentials as one of the world's strongest teams, but head coach Marco Octavio insists nothing will be taken for granted in their opening AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 match against Iraq.
With a legion of stars including Mohammad Masoumizadeh and Mohammad Ali Mokhtari at their disposal, the reigning champions are among the favourites to claim the title on March 17, but Ocatvio knows there are countless examples of highly-favoured teams coming unstuck and urged his players to perform from day one.
"Two days ago we saw Real Madrid lost at home, and we had an experience in my country Brazil, where we lost a (FIFA) World Cup semi-final 7-1 as favourites (against Germany in 2014)," he said.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Japan will respect every opponent they face at the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019, according to head coach Ruy Ramos, who believes the sport has never been more competitive in Asia.
The only Asian nation to have appeared at every World Cup, the East Asians are one of the Continent's traditional beach soccer heavyweights, and are expected to be among the contenders once again this year, but their highly-experienced mentor expects to be challenged, starting with their opening match against Kuwait.
"I've been involved in beach soccer for over 10 years, and I think this is the most competitive competition we've had in Asia," declared the 62-yer-old.
"I see the coaches and players at the Asian level are growing, and I expect a very difficult competition."