Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Japan star Ozu Moreira expressed his joy at securing a return to the world stage but has already turned his focus towards becoming champions of Asia, after he helped his side cruise into Sunday's AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 final.
The towering Japanese captain scored two sensational free-kicks in his side's 6-0 semi-final win over Palestine on Friday, taking his tournament goal tally to eight in five matches and setting his side up for a blockbuster decider against United Arab Emirates.
Japan's win also guarantees their return for a tenth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but Ozu said, while one goal has been achieved, the major prize remains up for grabs.
www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_beach_soccer_asian_cup/video/semi-final_highlights.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/japan-celebrate-beach-final.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ozu_moreira-japan-beach-fans.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/uae-beach-final.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Japan cruised into the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 final with a 6-0 win over Palestine on Friday, with the result also securing their place at a tenth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Ruy Ramos' men set up a meeting with the United Arab Emirates in Sunday's final, after Ozu Moreira scored two thumping free-kicks to help eliminate the previously unbeaten West Asian side from the Asian title race.
Palestine can, however, still advance to the global Finals in Paraguay with a win against Oman in the third place play-off, also on Sunday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: United Arab Emirates sealed a place in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 final, and became the first Asian team to qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, thanks to a thrilling 3-2 semi-final win over Oman on Friday
Waleed Beshr's goal two minutes from time eventually proved decisive in the evenly-balanced, back-and-forth encounter, in which Oman twice came from behind to equalise.
While Oman's hopes of becoming Continental champions have been dashed, they can still earn their place at Paraguay 2019 by winning Sunday's play-off against Palestine for third place.
UAE, meanwhile, will face Japan for the title after the East Asians cruised past Palestine 6-0 in the other semi-final.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Japan came from two goals down to secure a place in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 semi-finals, after earning a stunning 3-2 extra time win against defending champions Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday.
A 38th minute free-kick from Takuya Akaguma decided what was a sensational, see-sawing match, after the Continental heavyweights were locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time.
The loss comes as a crushing blow to Iran, who will miss the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after having qualified for seven of the last eight editions, and finishing third in 2017.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: UAE kept their goal of becoming the beach soccer kings of Asia very much alive, cruising into the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019's final four with a convincing 8-1 victory over Malaysia on Thursday.
A three-goal opening period set up the win for the Emiratis, who will now meet red-hot Oman in Friday's semi-final, with the winners to advance to both the Asian final and November's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.
Malaysia's run in the competition comes to an end after Mohammed Faizal So'od's side defied expectations to reach the knockout stage for the first time.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Palestine dramatically sealed a place in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 semi-finals, scoring with 90 seconds remaining to beat Lebanon 4-3 on Thursday.
A Mahmoud Al Neirab spot-kick eventually sealed the close-fought win, which keeps Palestine's dual dreams of the Asian title and a place at the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup alive.
The result spells the end of the competition for Lebanon, whose dream of a first-ever World Cup berth is deferred for at least two more years.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Oman became the first side to book a place in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 semi-finals, after they defeated Bahrain 5-3 in a close-fought quarter-final on Thursday.
Two goals from Khalid Al Oraimi, both scored at crucial times, were the key to victory for Oman, who are now one win away from both the competition's final and a place in the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.
Oman will now meet UAE in Friday's semi-final, while Bahrain's brave defeat eliminates them from the competition, and ends their hopes of returning to the global Finals after a 10-year absence.