Doha: Uzbekistan and Iran roared into the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2015 — AFC Qualifier Qatar yesterday. The Lebanese also made it to the final eight, thanks to the Iranians’ 8-1 thrashing of Thailand, as did the Bahrainis.
Hosts Qatar, however, had another woeful day at the Katara beach here, losing 8-0 to Oman.
The Omanis were terrific on both ends of the pitch for nearly the entire 36 minutes of play. They steadily built on their previous accomplishments and goals, getting two goals in the first and second periods and hammering in four in the third and final frame.
Oman finished first in their group and will face China in their quarter-final match today. Qatar did not finish with a win in the event, but they will have another bite at the cherry when they face FC Barcelona in a friendly on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the fans have been having a ball at the adjacent Fan Zone put on by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) at Katara beach.
One of those to attend the SC’s Fan Zone was Nasser Al Dossari who said: “We’re here having a great time, as you can see with my kids playing foosball. I’m Emirati and my wife is Qatari, and we’re here to watch and support these two teams while also having a fun time. This fan zone is great.”
The Fan Zone is operational on each match day and includes sand sculpture workshops for kids, a mini beach soccer field and beach soccer workshops, a speed shot booth, soccer tricks shows, a Batak reaction wall, football tables, instant photo booths, face painting workshops and concession stands with a variety of delicious foods and snacks. There is also a large central display of art produced by children from local communities as part of the SC’s Jeeran programme.
Bella, from Russia, said: “It is very well organised, and a great place for teenagers to hang out and learn more about football. It is also a nice chill-out zone for teenagers. I support Lebanon in this tournament and I think the organisers have done a really good job.”
Japan’s coach Marcelo Mendes said: “The fan zone is very nice, I think the kids are enjoying it a lot, and the tournament is really good because between the games people have a place to have fun. The fan zone completes the tournament.”
Japan are the favourites in the tournament but there’s no doubt that everyone who has come to Katara beach has been a winner.
THE PENINSULA
