The UAE were just 17 seconds from victory in the Asian Beach Soccer Cup before China snatched the trophy on penalties after a late equaliser.
After taking a 2-1 lead, the UAE’s Ahmad Bashir made a costly mistake allowing Liu Yi Si to send the game to penalties, where the UAE lost 2-1.
China captain Wan Chao had given his side an early lead before strikes from Haitham Mohammad and Hassan Ali put the UAE in the driving seat with just two minutes remaining.
Player of the Tournament and top scorer Yi Si then broke UAE hearts in normal time. Saeed Yousef netted for the UAE in the shootout before Kamal Ali Sulaiman’s spot kick was blocked by ‘keeper Wen Ting Yuaw to give China the cup.
The tournament, with coach Marcelo Mendes selecting only three of the squad that played in the AFC Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier in Qatar in January, was a chance for the Brazilian to look at his fringe players before selecting his final squad for the Beach Soccer World Cup that takes place in Tahiti this September.
Mendes expressed his disappointment at coming so close to victory but had nothing but praise for his young group of players.
“I’m disappointed just because the game was in our hand, we gave a goal with just 17 seconds remaining,” Mendes said. “But I’m disappointed only about that because it was a good team performance.
“The players played very well and they didn’t feel the pressure of playing in front of about 1,000 people in the stadium.
“It was good game, it was in our hands, it was a small mistake to give away the goal; and penalties are like a lottery where anyone can win.
“Football makes things strange sometimes. Like for me, Ahmad Bashir was the best player in the tournament and he made the mistake in the last second. But still, I am very happy [with how we played].”
