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29 March 2024

UAE storm into Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup semifinals

UAE players Ali Karim and Abbas celebrate their victory over USA with coach Marcelo Mendes on Tuesday. (SUPPLIED)

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By Staff

UAE stormed into the semifinals of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2012 by outplaying USA 5-3 in their second match at Festival City on Wednesday.

Following on their upset win over Oceania champions Tahiti on the opening day, the hosts grew in confidence to earn a hard-fought victory which puts them among the best of the tournament.

Mendes' side came under press as Nick Perera fired the opener for USA.

But the Emiratis side showed their fighting qualities twice with Adel and Abbas restoring parity in the first leg 2-2 after Meister found the net for USA.

Little happened in the second period, but the last 12 minutes saw the UAE changing the course of things, and pushing the score to a comfortable 4-2 in just a few seconds through strikes by Ali Karim and Rashid.

But Nick Perera closed the gap for USA.

UAE's reply was swift with Hassan Ali restoring the two-goal difference to ensure their place in the semifinals.

Russia eased into the semifinals from Group A with a 4-2 win over Tahiti while Brazil also booked a place in the last four by edging out Japan 6-5. Nigeria kept alive their hopes by defeating Switzerland 7-6.

Thursday's schedule:

16:45 – Nigeria vs. Japan   
18:00 – Tahiti vs. USA   
19:15 – Switzerland vs. Brazil   
20:30 – UAE vs. Russia