Life's a beach... then they play soccer on one Okay, okay - jokes aside but didn't realize this was even being played let alone here in Qatar... but anyhoo, just found out today and we're already in the groups stage... Thailand, Iraq, Palestine, Kuwait, Vietnam, Laos, and Qatar all go home (well the latter didn't have far to go, unless all the players are naturalized) but we're now set for the quarterfinals. They are: Uzbekistan vs Lebanon Oman vs China Iran vs UAE Japan vs Bahrain Never been to a beach soccer game, but will try and go down to Katara tomorrow and support Uzbekistan + Oman... respect to all players involved - tried it before and you've got to be super fit to play this game on the sand, and the teams play from one day to the next - no day's rest between... Also gotta hand it to the Uzbeks, the world's only double-landlocked country and they've managed to put a decent beach soccer team together. Iran are the current holders while Japan and the UAE are the regions most successful teams. Top 3 qualify for the world cup finals in Portugal in July. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_AFC_Beach_Soccer_Championship
Didn't manage to go today, but will go for the final - free entrance! Can't go wrong there... will be rooting for Oman now...
So Oman and Japan win and will go to the world cup in Portugal and will play tomorrow in the final.... while Lebanon and Iran will playoff for 3rd place and that all important final world cup place.... will definitely try and go tomorrow for the final.
Oman win the final, beating Japan in a penalty shootout... Iran also qualify for Portugal with a 9-3 (or something like that) win over Lebanon... had fun at the game today and getting ready to see Oman, Japan and Iran at the beach world cup this summer....