The UAE will contest the fifth-place play-off at the Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup against Egypt on Saturday after beating Paraguay 4-1 in Dubai.
Having finished bottom of Group A behind Egypt, the hosts will once again go up against the North Africans as a Haitham Alkaabi brace helped ensure the points against a somewhat lacklustre Paraguay side, who will meet Mexico on the final day seeking to avoid an eight-place finish.
After a goalless first period of few chances for either side, Haitham Alkaabi volleyed in the opener at the far post less than two minutes into the second.
Things continued to remain tense, with clear-cut chances few and far between, although it was the home nation who remained the more clinical as Hasham Almuntaser sent his side into at the final frame with a 2-0 lead.
Midfielder Jesus Rolon halved the arrears 30 seconds after the restart with Paraguay enjoying the better of the possession in the latter stages – Carlos Carballo glancing a header wide as the South Americans went in search of an equaliser.
However, an impressive run and assist from Waleed Beshr allowed Haitham to tap in his second and give the UAE a cushion going into the final two minutes before a superb strike from Ahmed Beshr capped the scoring, as the UAE picked up their first win of the tournament at the fourth attempt.
Goals: 0-1: Haitham, min. 10 (2); 0-2: 7, min. Hasham, min. 3 (2); 1-2: J. Rolon, min. 11 (2); 1-3: Haitham, min. 2 (3); 1-4: A. Beshr, min. 0 (3)
