Japan edge past Colombia, Brazil beat Oman
DUBAI: Wonder goals from Takuya Akaguma and Ozu Moreira helped Japan see off a courageous challenge from FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup debutants Colombia in their UAE 2024 Dubai Group C opener on Friday.
Oman, meanwhile, gave their best against Brazil before going down 5-3 against the fivetime world champions.
Akaguma, the Bronze Scorer from Russia 2021, took less than two minutes to get on the score-sheet with a stunning bicycle kick.
Ozu, named in the world’s Best Five at the Beach Soccer Stars Gala earlier this week, doubled the lead with a swerving free-kick.
Esleider De Avila earned the distinction of scoring Colombia’s first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup goal from the spot, but Takaaki Oba restored the advantage.
Yusuke Kawai saved a penalty to preserve it, and though Julio Pantoja did get one back, Japan held on for victory.
Edson Hulk flexed his muscle to help Brazil finally overpower the spirited challenge of Oman in their Group D opener.
The Asian side silenced the pro-brazil crowd with the first goal, and traded blows with their illustrious opponents for the first two periods.
Iran also got off to a victorious start, defeating Spain 3-1 on penalties ater their opening Group B tie ended in a sensational 6-6 draw with the Central Asian side coming back from 5-2 down to snatch the win.
UAE kicked off their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Egypt in Group A, a result which boosts their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage for the first time.
Iran came from behind to snatch victory in a thrilling Group B tie which Spain seemed to have won ater taking a 5-2 lead.
The European side shocked Iran by taking the lead just seconds into the match, David Ardil finding the net with a scorcher.
Iran tried their best to bounce back but Chiky doubled Spain’s lead with a free-kick goal in the seventh minute with Ardil then scoring his second of the evening just before the 10th minute mark.
Moslem Mesigar, however, pulled one back just before the break to give Iran, who finished third in 2017, hope.
A fired up Iran appeared for the second period and their aggressive approach paid off in the third minute with Mohammad Mokhtari further narrowing the deficit.
Spain, however, were fast to respond with Kuman and Jose Arias restoring a healthy cushion but Iran kept coming and scored their third through Mokhtari in the 11th minute of the second period.