Russia send Brazil packing again in beach soccer cup

Dubai: Multiple world champions Brazil missed out on a semi-final spot for the first time-ever as they crashed against defending champions Russia in a tight encounter at the Third Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup being held at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).

Trailing the European and world champions through most of three periods of play, Brazil nudged ahead for the first time in the encounter 6-5 during extra-time. But the Russians were far from finished as they equalized with 53.9 seconds remaining to send the match into the shoot-out.

After that Russia did not do anything in particular as Brazil’s Diogo Catarino da Silva sent his kick wide while Dmitry Shishin, Yury Krasheninnikov and Anatoliy Peremitin were on target as the defending champions confirmed the lone semi-final spot remaining from Group B.

This is the first time in three editions of this competition that Brazil will not be featuring in the semi-finals. With as many as 13 World Cup titles to their name, it is the Intercontinental Cup that has evaded the grasp of the South Americans till now.

Earlier, Iran had secured their place at top of Group B with a third straight win from as many matches, this time defeating Italy 3-2 also in the shoot-out after being tied 7-7 at the end of three minutes of extra-time.

The two semi-finalists from Group A had already been decided on the second day on Wednesday with Switzerland and hosts UAE securing their spots with two wins apiece.

On the final night of the preliminary round matches on Thursday, Switzerland fought back from a first-minute strike from Hassan Ali Saeed to win 5-3 and occupy the top spot in Group A.

Thursday’s results set up an interesting semi-finals line-up on Friday with the hosts facing Asian champions Iran in the first match, while Russia will fight against Switzerland in the second. And for the first time in this competition, Brazil will be out of the big four and will have to win against Morocco to keep their hopes alive for at least a fifth spot in this competition.

Meanwhile, Mexico picked up their first points of the competition with a 5-2 win over Morocco and set a meeting with Italy to decide who advances for the fifth place play-off.

Results

Iran bt Italy 3-2 in tie-breaker (7-7 at full-time)

Mexico bt Morocco 5-2

Russia bt Brazil 3-1 on penalties (5-5 at full-time; 6-6 at end of extra-time)

Switzerland bt UAE 5-3

Friday’s schedule

4.45pm Brazil vs Morocco

6pm Mexico vs Italy

Semi-finals

7.15pm Iran vs UAE

8.30pm Switzerland vs Russia