Tahiti, losing finalists at the last two editions, are out of the Beach Soccer World Cup despite carving out a 6-4 win over Uruguay in their final Group B match. Instead it was Uruguay, who book their berth in the quarter-finals on goal difference.
Tahiti needed a three goal win to go through but just could not find the elusive goal despite pummeling the Uruguayan goalmouth with 55 attempts at goal.
Tahiti had a 5-1 lead at one stage only to squander it to late goals from Uruguay captain Gaston Laduche (26:04), Marcelo Capurro (29:05) and Nicolas Bella (33:06).
The Islanders opened accounts early in teh first periods through Arihau Teriitau (2:09) only to see Bella (4:29) pulling the Uruguayans level.
Goals from Patrick Tepa (9:39, 29:07), Alvin Tehau (13:10), Tearil Labaste (21:49) and Heimanu Taiarui (25:30) fell short as the Tahitians were forced to make an early exit from the competition.
Uruguay now progress to the quarter-finals where they will face Group A winners Japan, the reigning Asian champions.
Gabrielle Gori’s five goal blitz helped Italy to a convincing 6-2 win over Mexico and top Group B as well as book their place in the quarter-finals against Switzerland.
Gori’s five goals (2:47, 8:26, 12:18, 13:23. 21:19) takes his overall personal tally in the competition to 13 goals, and puts him in line to defend the Golden Scorer crown he won at Bahamas 2017
His third and fourth goals were the standouts—a superb bicycle kick hit first time from goalkeeper Simone Del Mestre’s toss and a calm finish at the end of a brilliant piece of build-up play throughout the entire Italian team on the sand.
Emmanuelle Zurlo (22:06) added to the Italian tally before Mexico picked up two goals in the last period through Erick Samano (25:03) and Ramon Maldonado (28:18)
With their places in the last eight already confirmed, both Japan and Switzerland were hoping for a win to top Group A.
In the battle for supremacy it was Japan, who ultimately came out on top, jumping out to a four-goal lead and holding on despite a late Swiss surge.
Takuya Akaguma scored a brace early on (1:56, 7:42) to help Japan jump out into the lead and to bring his tournament tally to four goals before Noel Ott (9:48) scored his fifth of the tournament for Switzerland.
It was all Japan from there as Takaaki Oba (20:12), captain Ozu Moreira (20:30) and Masayuki Komaki (28:33) all scored to put the result beyond doubt despite the efforts of Dejan Stankovic, who converted two late set pieces (32:44, 43:55). Japan ended their group campaign with three wins and finish top while Switzerland will go through as runners-up.
Paraguay capped off their home campaign with an impressive 5-1 rout of USA.
Jesus Rolon (10:33) scored a marvellous goal in the first period, bringing the ball down from high in the air before evading his marker, juggling several times and slamming in a volley off the post and in, to give Los Pynandi a two-goal lead first-period lead after captain Pedro Moran (8:23) got the party started with a superb bicycle kick.
Set-piece strikes from Edgar Barreto (22:20) and Carlos Carballo (23:49) doubled their advantage before goalkeeper Carlos Ovelar (29:17) scored from distance. Jason Leopoldo (29:23) scored a late consolation goal for the Stars and Stripes.
What’s next
Matchday 6 – 26 November
Group C
UAE vs Senegal (16:15,
local time)
Russia vs Belarus (19:25,
local time)
Group D
Oman vs Portugal (17:50,
local time)
Nigeria vs Brazil (21:00,
local time)
Group C is the closest and toughest group to call heading into the final round of games. UAE-Senegal and Russia-Belarus are must-see TV. It’s essentially already knockout football as the winners of each match will advance to the quarter-finals, whether they are decided in regulation time, extra-time or on penalties.
Over in Group D, there’s one quarter-final place up for grabs and it will go to the winner of Oman-Portugal, after Brazil secured qualification with their 9-7 win over the Portuguese yesterday.
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