Moldova’s national beach football team suffered a heavy beating in their first match of the World Cup preliminaries, which take place in Moscow, Russia. Seeded in Group B, Vladimir Gosperschi’s boys were thrashed 2-8 by Portugal, Info-Prim Neo reports. Valeriu Baiesu and Marcel Chiper restored some pride by scoring twice in the dying moments of the game. On the Portuguese side, Bruno Novo, Jordan and Madjer netted a brace each, while Belchior and Alan also got on the scoresheet. In the other game of the group, Ukraine managed a narrow victory over Greece, score 4-3. The top two placed teams will qualify for the next stage. The next matches are scheduled for Monday, July, when Moldova take on Ukraine and Portugal meet Greece.