Abu Dhabi - Arab Today
UAE entered the Asian Beach Soccer Cup final after beating Australia 3-0 in the group B decider. The Emiratis clinched a fully deserved three points in a tight game which was all the goals come off in the last stage. Australia\'s objective was to upset the Marcelo Mendes side, to at least get a bit of sweet revenge after the Emirati closed the Beach Socceroos the doors in the World Cup in the last Asian Qualifier The fierce contest was deadlocked goalless at the end of the first two periods. But in the third period, the more experienced UAE outfit managed to get the much deserved lead through Abbas Ali. Haitham Mohammed consolidated minutes later when he tapped in a perfectly built move that began in the goalkeeper\'s end. The second goal took its toll on the Aussies, who saw the game drift out of their grasp. With one minute to go, Kamal finally sealed the win for UAE, who will now take on hosts China in the title clash China knocked out Thailand down to seal a place in the final from group A. Despite all the odds, Thailand put up a brave front against their more fancied hosts for the first 12 minutes. Phusonmuek equalised Sung\'s opener to reach the first hooter one goal apiece. But in the second-leg, China geared up and headed decidedly to the final. A 3-0 run during that stage decided a game in which, paradoxically, Thailand were playing good beach soccer. That led to a certain frustration on Khongkaew\'s side, that ended up in Tapinna being sent off. The hosts curtailed all the Thai options in an all-round third period, in which Liu\'s double sealed the top of the group for Ongaro\'s side. Source: Khaleej Times