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 Americas & Beyond | May 2008 
U.A.E and Japan Clinch Marseille Berth
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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A strong Japanese side beat China in the first semi final of the day with a thrashing 7-1 and can rightfully book their tickets to the French Riviera. The game started rather slowly, but it was only a matter of time before Japanese hit man Yamauchi would strike again. Yamauchi got three out of the seven goals scored by his side and will most likely see his performance rewarded with the award for top scorer of the Dubai Showpiece.
“How many goals I score is not important. I’m a part of a team where everybody fights for each other. These nine goals are us much my team mates merit then it is mine. If we can crown ourselves Asian Champions tomorrow with ten goals by one of the other players in my team, I would be as happy as I am now. After all, we’ve just qualified for the World Cup”, concluded the goal getter.
Japan will meet defending champions U.A.E in the final of the Dubai Showdown and are automatically qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 in Marseille after defeating Iran 3-1 in a true thriller. The game was still tied at 6 minutes from the final whistle, when the U.A.E teached their neighbours a lesson in efficiency putting away two more goals and that way condemned the Iranians to play China in the play-off for 3rd and 4th place to secure their participation to the most prestigious event of the year.
“Today we were rewarded for two months of hard work. The U.A.E federation definitely has their merit in this qualification by creating better working conditions for my team. Before the tournament they contracted a physical coach and a coach for our goalkeepers and that paid of. Physically we’re stronger then other teams and that’s what made the difference in the end”, said Marcelo Mendes, coach of the U.A.E .
Tomorrow the two victors will face each other in the replay of last year’s final and decide there who the true champion of the Asian continent is.
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(0) Iran
Followed by UAE 5 x 0 China
May 9 (Friday) – Semi final Matches*
20:00 - Match 7 (Semi-final 1): Japan 7 x 1 China
Followed by - Match 8 (Semi-final 2): U.A.E 3 x 1 Iran
May 10 (Saturday) – Play-off for 3rd place and Final *
20:00 - Match 9 (3rd / 4th) China x Iran
Followed by - Match 10 Final Japan x U.A.E
Followed by - Awards Ceremony
* Times and order of the games can altered according to the TV requirements.br>
 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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