Tahiti have made a losing start at the Beach Soccer World Cup, after a 4-3 extra-time defeat by the United Arab Emirates.
Ahmed Beshr, of the United Arab Emirates, left, and Tahiti's Heimanu Taiarui struggle for the ball during the Beach Soccer World Cup group stage match between United Arab Emirates and Tahiti, in Moscow. Photo: AFP
Tamatoa Tetauira opened the scoring for the Tiki Toa eight minutes into the second period, before Waleed Beshr equalised for the UAE three minutes later.
Hasan Ali put the UAE in front one minutes into the final period, before a Dylan Paama own goal extended their lead to 3-1 with less than four minutes remaining in normal time.
With defeat looming, the Tiki Toa burst into life with two late goals to send the opening match of the World Cup into extra time.
Heimanu Taiarui and Raimana Li Fung Kuee scored with 40 and 31 seconds remaining to level the scores at 3-3, only for Ahmed Beshr to bag the winning goal with just 22 seconds remaining in extra time.
The first matchday of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021 comes to a close
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) August 19, 2021
A thrilling day of #BeachSoccerWC action saw UAE stun Tahiti, Japan come from behind to beat Paraguay, Spain defeat debutants Mozambique and the hosts hold off a resilient USA side pic.twitter.com/yioctdNWZa
Tahiti have competed at the last five World Cups. They finished fourth on home soil in 2013 and runners-up in both 2015 and 2017, but were eliminated in the group stage two years ago.
The Oceania Football Confederation's Executive Committee nominated the French Territory to attend this year's tournament in Moscow, after the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup was cancelled because of Covid-19.
The World Cup runs until 29 August, with 16 teams split into four pools.
Tahiti's next match is in two days time against Spain, who opened their tournament with an 8-4 victory over Mozambique in the other Group B clash.
