Doha: The highly-anticipated FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 — AFC Qualifier Qatar kicked off at Katara beach here yesterday with teams vying for the three places available at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup that will be held in Portugal this summer.
Hosts Qatar narrowly lost to Laos 6-5 in a Group A encounter yesterday.
The match was a tale of two halves. The hosts lost their composure in the opening frame and some of the second period and were trailing 3-1. But Qatar rallied in the middle period to seize the lead.
However, that would prove inadequate as the guests rebounded again and held on for the three points.
The win put Laos in a good position in their group and another win (against Oman) today will help further their cause.
Qatar were fiercely competitive and could have very well come out victors if the rub of the green went a little more in their favour. They will now desperately be looking for a win when they take on Bahrain today.
Laos had never participated in a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup — AFC Qualifier before but, based on their approach in the opening minutes, there was no way of telling that. They scored first but the hosts soon equalised through Al Sharqi, who slotted home with a header.
The Laotians scored the next goal, taking a 2-1 advantage into the middle frame. Early in the second period, the teams were at a stalemate with both defences and goalkeepers at the top of their games.
The Laotians were the first to break the deadlock, scoring the third and taking their lead to two goals going into the heart of the match. The scrappiness of the match continued and the Qataris scored again. The comeback continued and Qatar came to the party, scoring left and right as the Maroons turned their 3-1 deficit into a 5-3 advantage going into the final period.
However, Laos regained their composure scored two fantastic goals to tie the score midway through the frame.
The hosts turned up the intensity but were unable to get their sixth goal as the game went into the final minutes.
Laos finally found the back of the net when N. Chiu scored his third of the day and the guests held on for a hard-fought victory.
Beach Soccer Worldwide Executive Vice-president and FIFA Beach Soccer Committee Member Joan Cusco encouraged supporters to come to the venue and accompanying fan zone, organised by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), to catch some of the exciting action and try out the accompanying activities for kids and families.
“If you come, we will not disappoint you,” Cusco said with a smile. “You will like what you see. This is a new, modern, fast sport with lots of goals. It is very energetic, there is music and people will love it and will have fun.”
THE PENINSULA
