The UAE endured a frustrating opening to their 2018 Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup after late goals from Egypt inflicted a 3-1 defeat.
At Kite Beach’s new, state-of-the-art venue, Ahmed Elshahat Mohamed scooped in from kick-off to give the Africans the lead with just one second on the clock. A leveller for the hosts was to come from Ali Mohammad when he smashed home immediately after the second period commenced.
Hopes of a positive result, however, in this Group A-clash slipped away at the death. Haitham Atef Mahsoub’s angled shot and Mohamed Abdelnaby Hassan’s header handed victory to the 2016 Africa Beach Soccer Cup of Nations’ third-placed finishers.
Meanwhile, holders Brazil stormed to a 5-2 triumph against Dubai debutants Spain.
Bruno Xavier and Datinha both got braces for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup winners.
Dominant Brazil are aiming for a third-successive success in the UAE and now boast a 64-game winning streak in all competitions.
In Group B, 2017’s defeated finalists Iran ran riot with an 8-1 thrashing of the United States.
The 2017 AFC Beach Soccer Championship victors scored all their goals in the first two periods.
Dmitry Shishin pounced on a goalkeeping error to hand Russia an entertaining 7-6 victory against Tahiti.