Japan Beach Soccer advance to last eight

Japan advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time since 2009 after edging Cote d’Ivoire 4-3 on Matsuo Naoya’s extra-time penalty in their third and final group match on Sunday.

Japan needed a victory to qualify for the elimination round following a win and a loss in their opening games of the tournament in Papeete, Tahiti.

But Ramos Ruy’s side had to play catch-up in the first three periods.

Daniel Kouassitch scored a penalty soon after the start of the game and Moustapha Sakanoko added a second in the 18th minute.

The Japanese players responded well, drawing level on Yamauchi Shusei’s strike in the third minute and Moreira Ozu’s equalizer in the 19th minute.

At 2-2 in extra time, Kouassitch put the Ivorians ahead, but Moreira struck again seconds later to make it 3-3 for Japan.

Japan then won a penalty, which Matsuo converted, and Japan held on for the win, which put them in second place behind Russia in Group D.

In the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Japan will meet Brazil, the four-time world champions and runners-up in 2011.

Brazil won all three of their matches in Group C, beating Iran 4-1, Ukraine 4-2 and Senegal 8-3.