Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Terengganu: Last-minute group winners Lebanon are ready for their encounter with powerhouse the United Arab Emirates in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Malaysia 2017 semi-finals in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.
The Lebanese repeated their Qatar 2015 performance by advancing to the semi-finals of a continental competition for the second time by upsetting defending champions Oman 4-3 in Group B's last match on Wednesday.
The roller-coaster game saw Oman leading during most of the proceedings before Lebanon's equaliser through skipper Mohamad Merhi and Ahmed Grada’s neat header, both in the last 60 seconds, turned the game around for Alex Braga’s side.
Both sides will be giving their best to advance to the final and finish in the top-three to represent Asia at the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Nassau, Bahamas from April 27 to May 7.
“I’m happy with the result yesterday that showed my team’s never-surrender attitude,” said Braga in a press conference on Thursday. “Beach soccer is like that. A game finishes only when it finishes. I thank my team for putting up a good fight against the defending champions.
“The UAE is a different team and they have very experienced players and they will definitely give us a hard time. They've been playing beach soccer for a long time, but we'll do our best to beat them and advance to the final and the World Cup.”
The UAE were the first side to reach the semis after beating Japan 5-4 in Group C’s final game, leaving Japan to wait until Wednesday’s last match to see if they could qualify through the best second-placed team’s ticket, which they eventually did.
The Emiratis commenced their Group Stage campaign on a positive note as they thumped Iraq 6-0 before an 8-1 victory over Qatar handed their second straight win.
“Lebanon is a tough team - they have shown that they’ll play until the last second,” said head coach Mohamed Abbas. “They’ll never give up. So we have to up our game and not give up easily too.
“Both teams want to make it to the final and the World Cup so I’m sure tomorrow’s game will be a test of nerves for both sides, but we’ll do our best and try to bring home the title and a place in the world showpiece.”
MATCH DETAILS
UAE v Lebanon
Kick-off: 1500hrs (GMT +8)
Venue: Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
Photo: AFC