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ASUNCION, Paraguay — The United States dropped its second consecutive match at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Saturday night.

The Americans lost to Japan, 4-3, on a pair of set-piece goals by captain Ozu Moreira.

The result dropped the USA to 0-2 in Group A, while the Japanese (2-0) climbed into sole possession of first place.

Alessandro Canale put the Americans into the lead with a diving header before Ozu, a defender, equalized from a free kick.

Japan’s Naoya Matsuo and U.S. goalkeeper Christopher Toth exchanged goals for a 2-2 deadlock.

Teruki Tabata lifted Japan the lead with a bicycle kick before Canale another header to knot things up at 3-3.

The score did not last that long as Ozu scored immediately from a free kick again.

The USA meets Paraguay in its final group stage match Monday.

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Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.