BANGKOK, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese men's beach soccer team fell 5-3 to Saudi Arabia in its opening Group B match of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup 2025 in Pattaya, Thailand, on Thursday, in an encounter marked by dramatic momentum shifts.

China struck first through a swift counterattack, but Saudi Arabia equalized late in the same period.

Saudi Arabia briefly took the lead in the second period. China responded instantly, as goalkeeper Guo Wei unleashed a thunderous strike from his own goal line to level the score at 2-2.

The action intensified in the closing seconds of the second period. China regained the lead through Liu Yisi's left-footed free-kick, awarded after a Saudi handball offense, only for Saudi Arabia's Majed Shamhani to mirror the feat moments later with a free-kick resulting from a Chinese handball, leaving the score tied at 3-3.

Saudi Arabia broke the deadlock in the final period with a header in the 27th minute. China's hopes faded when its opponent scored a penalty in the dying moments, sealing Saudi Arabia's 5-3 victory.

The 16-team tournament sees China competing in Group B alongside Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. In Thursday's other group match, Japan edged Iraq 4-3. China will next face Iraq on Saturday, while Saudi Arabia takes on group leader Japan. Enditem

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