Paporotnyi doubled the lead soon after, and even when Okuyama gave the Samurai Blue some hope of regaining a foothold in the match by scoring a penalty, Nikonorov did the same at the other end to make it 3-1. In their opening game at the Intercontinental Cup, Nikonorov, who was the top scorer at last week’s Mundialito de Clubes, beat Japan captain Ozu to a loose ball hanging in the air to poke in the opening goal. The last time Russia played Japan, there was a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup at stake, and Russia were superior on that day. In the final third, UAE took their tally to six, and even a defensive slip-up where Eduard Suarez pulled a goal back for Spain wasn’t enough to turn the match around, and the hosts’ tenth Intercontinental campaign gets off to the ideal start. The 24-year-old netted a goal in each period to complete a hat-trick on his Intercontinental Cup debut. Spain struggled to get back into the match against their superior hosts, but a shining light was the performance of recent recruit Joselito. In the next period, the Emiratis did well to hold off the Spanish attacks and two clinical goals from Malahi and Ahmed saw them pull ahead of the visitors, taking the score to 4-1 heading into the last 12 minutes. UAE Captain Walid hit back seconds later with a goal from close range, and then Waleed Beshr pounded in a second from distance. In another replay from the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup group stages, La Roja took a step toward defeating UAE for the second time this year as Joselito polished off a slick move to take the lead. Oumar Sylla’s side showed once more that they are undoubtedly one of the world’s top beach soccer teams. Senegal pulled ahead in the second period with more wonder strikes from Diatta, Sylla and Diagne, but captain Torres and Pinhal netted to have Portugal hot on their heels.īrace-completing goals for Sylla and Roaul, who slotted home a calm penalty for the Senegalese seventh, pushed the Lions into a more comfortable lead and with the score at 4-7 at the final whistle, once again, Portugal were well-beaten by a superior Senegal. A rocket from Leo Martins and an unfortunate Andrade own goal had the sides even at the first break. Raoul, who shone brightly at the World Cup to earn the Bronze Ball, equalised in style minutes later.
The European champions drew first blood today though, as Pintado opened his Intercontinental account in ridiculous style, spinning a vicious strike into the top corner. The last time these sides met, Senegal dealt Portugal a devastating blow in the group stage of the 2021 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia this summer. The Emirati hosts also tasted victory, outclassing Spain to win 6-4, and Senegal turned over the European champions Portugal convincingly in Group A, while defending champions Iran turned their first match against Paraguay around in style to seal the three points. Kotenev was the world champions’ hero as he found an essential extra time goal for Russia against Japan on Day 1 of the Intercontinental Cup. UAE kicked off their Intercontinental Cup with a win over Spain as Senegal and Iran also take three pointsįour sizzling matches kicked off the tenth edition of the Tecnotree Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup in Dubai, as the world’s top teams 48 goals between them on Day 1.