Santos-inspired Portugal hold off Egypt fightback to reach semi-finals
Egypt narrowly missed out on completing a stirring comeback victory against Portugal in the Intercontinental Cup beach soccer tournament yesterday, only to be denied in the penalty shootout.
Trailing 1-5 at the end of the first period at the Marasi Business Bay in Dubai, Egypt’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals appeared all but over.
However, former world champions Portugal lost their concentration to allow Egypt to come storming back into the contest. Egypt then led 6-5 with just over a minute of the match remaining before Jordan Santos scored a late equaliser to force extra-time.
After that ended goalless, it was left to a penalty shootout to decide who would join Group A winners Brazil in the last-four. When Elshahat Mohamed saw his spot-kick saved, Jordan again stepped up to be Portugal’s hero, with his winning penalty sending his side through.
It was Egypt who took the lead when Hassane Hussein headed home the opener, only for Portugal to open up a healthy lead with goals from Jordan, Bruno Torres and goalkeeper Elinton Andrade in quick succession.
Jordan added his second late in the period, with Madjer netting the fifth before the break.
Mohamed Gamal got Egypt’s comeback under way shortly after the restart, with Elhusseini Aly and a quickfire double from Mohamed Hassan levelling the score. Aly then edged the North Africans in front before Jordan’s third.
In the other games, the world champion Brazil proved their pedigree with a convincing 15-4 win over the UAE to stretch their winning run to 45 games in all competitions.
Brazil will head into the semi-finals full of confidence after setting a new record for goals scored in a single match at the competition, with fourgoal Ze Lucas among the key players in a one-sided contest.
Paraguay picked up their first points an enthralling 5-4 win against Mexico but it was too little and too late.
Russia edged out Iran 4-3 in extra time to top Group B and set up a semi-final clash with Portugal. Iran face Brazil in the other semi-final encounter.
The annual beach soccer competition will remain in Dubai for at least the next three years, following the signing of an agreement by Saeed Hareb, general secretary of the Dubai Sports Council, and Joan Cusco, executive vice president of the world body yesterday.
“This event was born here in Dubai and we at DSC are really pleased to extend our partnership with Beach Soccer Worldwide and keep this tournament here until 2020,” Hareb said.