Dubai: The UAE’s campaign all but came to an end following their 2-5 loss to Spain in their second Group A match at the 2013 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in Tahiti.
The UAE, who had gone down to the hosts 2-3 on the opening day last week, started off well but fell to the experience of their European opponents, who scored three quick goals in the third and final period.
Spain had opened their campaign in this World Cup with a 5-4 win over the US and a second win for the hosts — 5-3 over the US — made sure that the final group match between the UAE and the US on Tuesday is inconsequential.
On Sunday morning, it was the UAE who got off to a great start when Ittihad Kalba defender Haitham Al Ka’abi found the goal in the third minute. Spain stayed composed and found the equaliser midway through the second period following a defensive lapse from the UAE.
The UAE regained the lead for the second time early in the third period through Hassan Al Hammadi’s second goal of the tournament. But Spain did not give up and Raul Merida scored twice and then Llorenc and Cintas found the goal.
