Truly one of the greatest sports logos I've ever seen. It's like they asked a 7-year-old named Koi Theen to draw a sunset. It's right up there with my all-time favorite - the Detroit Tigers logo from 1927-28.
It's great to see a coach recognize a rival team. For this reason, I believe the Mexican Championship final will be very good.
I wonder if they combine grass and sand practice! 10 minutes until kick-off. I wonder if Xavi (who hung up his boots playing for Al Sadd in May) will sub himself into the game if these pesky beach footballers prove hard to crack.
I'm thinking it might be two volcanic islands rising up from the ocean or something like that... was just in the region last summer - PNG, Solomons, Vanuatu + Fiji and that's my immediate reaction
HT: Al Sadd - Hienghene 1:0 VAR disallowed one goal for Al Sadd. They will have to put in a bit more work before they can start thinking about Monterrey.
I wanted that Hienghene overhead to go in so badly. They've been OK on the counter but last the strength of a professional.
They need to come out with a different mindset in the second half because the next Al Sadd goal will put them away. And they also need to watch their physical play.
Well, well - Hienghene with the equalizer! After VAR review. Loads of VAR decisions in this match so far.
Two years ago, world football was wringing its hands about how VAR would ruin spontaneous celebrations...two years later, we now have post-VAR celebrations
Oh dear, another VAR decision disallowing an Al Sadd goal. I get the feeling there is going to be a lot of VAR controversy at this tournament.
They're silica islets located in Hienghène Bay that were originally covered in limestone. Wind and water over the years eroded away the limestone leaving the silica. Not sure what the one on the left is called but the one on the right is a cliff called La Poule (The Hen).
Afif misses an open goal just before time's up and we are headed into extra time. Didn't see this coming!
Oh dear Afif. Horrible miss at the end. So glad I was wrong. These are way more organized than most non-New Zealand Oceanian side.
If the whole point in football was to try and come as close to scoring without actually putting the ball in the back of the net, Al Sadd would be the one the greatest teams of all time.
Al Sadd finally restore the lead after a free-kick caused by the Hienghene keeper picking up a back-pass from his defender.
FT: Al Sadd - Hienghene 3:1 AET That turned out a lot more interesting than the first half indicated. Unfortunately for Hienghene their keeper won't sleep well tonight after the second goal conceded.