UAE make semi-final exit in beach soccer

Brazil face Russia in Intercontinental Cup final, hosts will play Nigeria in third place play-off.

Nigeria were thrashed by the world champions Russia. Courtesy Manuel Queimadelos Alonso
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DUBAI // A stirring comeback brought the UAE within a goal of mighty Brazil late in their semi-final match at the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup last night, but the South Americans steadied for a 5-3 victory.

The Emiratis were behind by a goal after seven seconds and by 3-0 after a period. However, Hassan Ali scored late in the second period, and the UAE made it 4-3 in the final period on penalties converted by Rashid Ahmed and Ali Hassan Karim.

Fernando took Brazil back to safety with his third goal and into the final of the eight-nation tournament versus Russia tonight.

The hosts paid the penalty for early mistakes as Gil de Sousa, Fernando and Bruno Mendes scored early, and Fernando struck his second on a back-heel shot.

Russia, the world champions, booked their place in the final as they swept Nigeria aside 9-4 in dominant fashion. The Russians showed their intent from the kickoff as Danila Ippolitov, Egor Shaykov and Dmitry Shishin all scored in the first four minutes.

Nigeria got one back through Bartholomew Ibenegub but Ilya Leonov made it 5-1 in the fourth minute of the second. Shaykov grabbed another before Nigeria's Abu Azeez reduced the deficit once more.

In the final period, Russia found another gear and ran out comfortable winners.

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