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 Americas & Beyond | May 2008 
U.A.E. and Japan Move on Strong to Semis
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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Japan x Iran had all the ingredients what makes of Beach Soccer such an exciting sport. Both teams went for victory, created loads of opportunities and tied into extra-time until Japan eventually decided the game on penalties. Japan took an early lead by Yamautchi who scored his sixth goal of the tournament which brings him another inch closer to becoming the top scorer of the Dubai Showdown.
Iran did everything to come back in the game but failed to do so until the beginning of the third period when Boulokbashi had a brilliant moment and launched a rocket into the back of the net from 12 yards out. The outset of day three was decided by penalties. Japan scored, Iran didn’t.
The shell-shocked Iran side will take heart from the fact that, as winning the first game against Philippines, they earned a place alongside Japan in the semi finals, but for now they will just wonder what happened.
“We’ve accomplished our goal, which was ending first in our group. Now I hope that U.A.E. beats China, so we can play them in the final. Last year I was in Dubai as a player and they beat us twice. Since that day I’ve been kind of hoping we would meet again”, said a happy Japan coach Takeshi Kawaharazuka.
U.A.E. left China no chance in the second game of day three of the Dubai Qualifier. The defending champions notched their second victory of the tournament by defeating China 5-0. A precious three-point haul for the host, who put the East Asians back with both feet on the ground.
“This win is the culmination of all our hard work during the preparation of this competition. My men played a beautiful game today. We didn’t score in the first period, but didn’t get anxious and the goals soon followed. China are a very tough side, but still have a lot to learn, both technically and tactically. With my friend Rodrigo running the team, I think they still make a shot to qualify for Marseille”, commented Marcelo Mendes after the game.
“Obviously I would have loved to win this game, but it didn’t happen. We didn’t play well and missed quite a lot of chances early in the game. The more experienced team took the three points today and is by my opinion a serious contender for the Dubai trophy”, concluded China coach Rodrigo Stockler.
Results and match schedule (GMT +3)
May 6 (Tuesday) – Matches
20:00 Philippines 2 x 8 Japan
Followed by Uzbekistan 2 x 6 UAE
May 7 (Wednesday) – Matches
20:00 Iran 5 x 2 Philippines
Followed by China 4 x 3 Uzbekistan
May 8 (Thursday) – Matches
20:00 Japan (1)1 x 1(1) Iran
Followed by UAE 5 x 0 China
May 9 (Friday) – Semi final Matches*
20:00 - Match 7 (Semi-final 1): 1st Group B X. 2nd Group A
Followed by - Match 8 (Semi-final 2): 1st Group A X 2nd Group B
May 10 (Saturday) – Play-off for 3rd place and Final *
20:00 - Match 9 (3rd / 4th) Loser M7 X Loser M8
Followed by - Match 10 Final Winner M7 X Winner M8
Followed by - Awards Ceremony
* Times and order of the games can altered according to the TV
 Click HERE for the complete matchday report (PDF)
 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008
Follow the competition from Durban, to Puerto Vallarta, Buenos Aires, Dubai, and Benidorm on the road leading up to the final championship matches in Marseille, France, the host country for the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. |
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