Japan and Bahrain open campaign with victories

Dubai: Japan hammered the Philippines 16-0, while Bahrain scurried past the UAE 7-4 on the opening day of the Fifa Beach Soccer 2006 qualifier on Monday.

While World No 4 Japan toyed with the Philippines, Bahrain staged a late rally through hat-trick hero Mahmoud Yousuf to beat the hosts comfortably.

"The first match is always tough. And for us, it was even tougher as this is the first time ever that we are playing in a beach competition," Bahrain's Brazilian coach Gustavo Henorikve told Gulf News.

"I think we did well to match Bahrain for most of the match. But our stamina levels fell in the third session, and that proved to be decisive," added Nasser Khamis, the UAE's coach.

Despite being down on an Abdullah Esmail goal in the first period, the hosts did well to score in quick succession through Rami Abdullah and Saeed Mahtouq for a 2-1 lead.

But Yousuf scored his first of three goals for the equaliser, only to see Mohammad Ebrahim hand back the lead to the UAE.

However, Yousuf netted his second from the spot as the teams went out 3-3 at the end of the second period.

Veteran Bakhit Sa'ad gave the UAE the lead again, only for Saeed Hassan Esa to bring the two teams on level terms. Abdullah was on target a second time for a 5-4 lead to Bahrain, and Yousuf completed his hattrick to take them even further (6-4). Esa then rounded off the tally to give his team maximum points.

Earlier, the opening match turned into a one-sided affair with Japan simply too skilful against the Philippines.

Toma Masahito pumped in five goals, while skipper Takeshi Kawaharazuka finished off with four to leave the Filipinos in a daze.

"We played well and we deserved to end the match with such a score," said Japanese coach, Elichi Kato.

"This match was a good one for us to prepare for a tough encounter against Iran," he added.

The Dubai qualifier has attracted six teams from Asia, of which the top three will make it to the 2006 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil in November.

Brazil have qualified as the hosts, while the South American representatives will be Argentina and Uruguay for this 16-team world competition.

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