Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Born in Rio, made in Tokyo, and at home on the beach, Ruy Ramos is one of a kind, and one game away from leading Japan to the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 title.
With Friday's 6-0 win over Palestine stamping their ticket to a tenth successive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the East Asian beach soccer powerhouse is now focused on becoming the kings of the Continent.
The team is fuelled by the burning desire of Ramos, who arrived in Tokyo as a young footballer trying to make his way in what was a vastly different sporting climate, in 1977. Now 42 years later, he still calls Japan home.
"While I was in Brazil I made my debut at 18 years old," he told the-AFC.com.
"When I was 20 a scout from Japan came and saw me play, and decided to bring me to Japan."
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ruy_ramos-japan-afp.html
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: United Arab Emirates head coach Mohamed Almaazmi has called for his side to complete their AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 campaign with a perfect record, ahead of their highly anticipated tournament decider against Japan on Sunday.
The UAE boss has steered his side to five straight wins to reach the final for the second successive edition of the tournament, and seal their place at this year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay at the first time of asking.
The results keep alive Almaazmi's stated pre-tournament ambition of winning every game in Thailand, and he remains fully focused on delivering in the biggest match Asian beach soccer has to offer.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Japan star Ozu Moreira expressed his joy at securing a return to the world stage but has already turned his focus towards becoming champions of Asia, after he helped his side cruise into Sunday's AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 final.
The towering Japanese captain scored two sensational free-kicks in his side's 6-0 semi-final win over Palestine on Friday, taking his tournament goal tally to eight in five matches and setting his side up for a blockbuster decider against United Arab Emirates.
Japan's win also guarantees their return for a tenth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but Ozu said, while one goal has been achieved, the major prize remains up for grabs.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Oman head coach Talib Hilal believes the mental battle will be crucial in his side's AFC Beach Soccer Championship third-place play-off against Palestine on Sunday.
The match is the last chance for either side to book a place at this year's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay, after both lost their respective semi-finals on Friday.
Hilal - whose side suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to UAE for their first loss for the tournament - said the team who can recover quickest from the disappointment of semi-final day will be successful in the key match.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: United Arab Emirates sealed a place in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 final, and became the first Asian team to qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, thanks to a thrilling 3-2 semi-final win over Oman on Friday
Waleed Beshr's goal two minutes from time eventually proved decisive in the evenly-balanced, back-and-forth encounter, in which Oman twice came from behind to equalise.
While Oman's hopes of becoming Continental champions have been dashed, they can still earn their place at Paraguay 2019 by winning Sunday's play-off against Palestine for third place.
UAE, meanwhile, will face Japan for the title after the East Asians cruised past Palestine 6-0 in the other semi-final.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Japan cruised into the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 final with a 6-0 win over Palestine on Friday, with the result also securing their place at a tenth consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Ruy Ramos' men set up a meeting with the United Arab Emirates in Sunday's final, after Ozu Moreira scored two thumping free-kicks to help eliminate the previously unbeaten West Asian side from the Asian title race.
Palestine can, however, still advance to the global Finals in Paraguay with a win against Oman in the third place play-off, also on Sunday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pattaya: Japan came from two goals down to secure a place in the AFC Beach Soccer Championship Thailand 2019 semi-finals, after earning a stunning 3-2 extra time win against defending champions Islamic Republic of Iran on Thursday.
A 38th minute free-kick from Takuya Akaguma decided what was a sensational, see-sawing match, after the Continental heavyweights were locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time.
The loss comes as a crushing blow to Iran, who will miss the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after having qualified for seven of the last eight editions, and finishing third in 2017.