Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup: Last-minute winner for UAE

Hosts grab a late goal to claim three points, Russia thrash the United States and Stankovic scores four against Japan.

Adel Ali Rahu Ranjbar, left, of the UAE challenges a Tahiti player as the hosts kicked off their Intercontinental Cup campaign in Dubai with a 3-2 win over Tahiti.

The UAE got their Beach Soccer Samsung Intercontinental Cup campaign off to a winning start last night with a 3-2 win over Tahiti - but they left it late.

There was just a minute left on the clock when Adel Ali Rahu scored to give the hosts their victory.

Tahiti opened in the first minute when Teva Zaveroni put the visitors ahead.

Ali Hassan Karim equalised for the UAE in the eighth minute and the teams went into the break level at 1-1.

In the eighth minute of the second period Raimana Li Fung Kuee restored Tahiti's advantage.

The UAE equalised in the fifth minute of the third period to level the scores at 2-2 before Rahu's late winner.

Nigeria shocked Brazil at the Copa Lagos tournament last year, but there was no repeat in the first round match in Dubai as Fernando DDI scored a hat-trick in one minute.

Nigeria had opened the scoring before Brazil equalised. The Brazil twice took the lead with the Green Eagles twice coming back.

With the scores level came the minute of magic from Fernando and Brazil took the points in a6-3 victory.

The tournament's defending champions Russia easily swept aside the United States 9-1.

The US found themselves behind within the first minute from an Egor Shaykov goal, Oscar Gil managed to find an equaliser for the heavy underdogs, and they were relieved to go just one goal down at half-time after Danila Ippolitov had restored Russia's lead.

In the second half the Russian team were ruthless with Egor Eremeev scoring a hat-trick, and Dimitriy Shishin and Yuri Krasheninnikov each recording a brace.

Last year's MVP winner Dejan Stankovic announced his arrival in style with a four-goal haul as Switzerland overcame a tricky opening fixture against Japan.

The Swiss trailed the Asian champions throughout an entertaining first half before exerting their dominance to eventually run out 7-4 winners.

Yamauchi Shusei gave Japan the lead after two minutes before Komaki Masayuki doubled the advantage. Philipp Borer immediately reduced the arrears to 2-1 before Stankovic notched his first of the afternoon to level the scores at 2-2. Japan would find themselves back in front, however, with Asami Kazumasa sending them into the break 3-2 ahead.

Stankovic showed why he is one of the world's leading players with a masterclass that saw in claim a second-half hat-trick, with the captain Mo Jaeggy also getting on the score sheet as Switzerland claimed their first win and points in Group B.

* The National staff with agency

TV times, s14