UAE lose to China in beach soccer final

Dubai

The UAE lost 2-1 on penalties to China in the final of the Asian Beach Soccer Cup in Haiyang yesterday.

Haitham Al Kaabi and Hassan Al Hammadi had cancelled out Wan Chao’s early opener but an equaliser from top-scorer and player of the tournament Liu Yi Si 17 seconds from time took the game to penalties.

Wan Chao and Saeed Al Maazmi both converted followed by Xue Geng Han, but Kamal Ali Sulaiman’s spot-kick was saved by China’s goalkeeper Wen Ting Yuaw, who was later named the goalkeeper of the tournament.

UAE coach Marcelo Mendes said: “I’m disappointed because the game was really in our hands. We gave one score with 17 seconds to finish in the game. By a small mistake we gave the chance and penalties are like a lottery so anyone can win the game.

“I’m disappointed only about that because to be honest I’m happy with the team’s performance, the new players played very well and they didn’t feel the pressure in front of 1,000 people in the stadium.”

The Asian Beach Soccer Cup was a five-team event with seven matches spread over four days. The UAE reached the final by beating Vietnam 8-3 and Australia 3-0. Thailand finished third after a 4-3 win over Australia in the third and fourth place play-off.

A second-string UAE team had reserved their best for last after thrashing Australia 3-0 in the annual Asian Beach Soccer Cup late on Saturday to set up a final against hosts China.

Close-range shot

Australia were keen to avenge the fact that in January the UAE denied them a place in this summer’s Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup and the Beach Socceroos did well to keep the match scoreless for the first two periods.

But in the third period, the UAE — travelling with just four first-team players along with the reserves — did well to open the score through Abbas Ali. A minute later Haitham Mohammad tapped in from close range and finally Al Ahli striker Kamal Ali sealed the win to set up a title clash against the hosts.

China, meanwhile, thumped Thailand 6-1 to top Group A ahead of the final. Thailand did well to compete on level terms with China for the first 12 minutes and Phusonmuek equalised Sung’s opener.

But in the second leg, China had an unanswered 3-0 run that all but sealed their place in the final.