Russia beat Iran 4-3 in the semi final of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2014 held in Dubai , UAE
The 4-3 win for Russia over Iran was as tough as they could have expected, maybe tougher, but they played an almost perfect game, tactics, offense, defense, everything. Russia came out with all the pressure on them and they set the tone early, letting Iran know they were ready. The Russians scored twice early but then tactically dropped back on defense which worked wonderfully until the final period when the Russians nearly fell apart, after their starting keeper, Bukhlitskiy exited the match, giving up three goals. Russia barely hung on, not from any help of the heavily lopsided Iran fanbase, and will play in the final on Saturday. Iran played valiantly and apart from the slow start, could have very well won, instead, they will play for 3rd place Saturday.
In what is rapidly becoming a bitter rivalry, both teams jostled and played physical beach soccer but each with their own intentions. Iran wanted to prove their win last year in the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup final was not a fluke. The Russians wanted to show that they deserved to win last year and could beat the determined Princes of Persia. Russia struck first on a play that they have nearly perfected, the simple corner, on a finish from Krash, putting the score at 1-0. Russia was in top-form and nearly flawless to open the game and scored their second goal on a blast from Romanov that put the World Champions up 2-0. Russia took the momentum and their two goal lead into the middle frame. As champions normally do, they adapt to their opponents’ play, which is exactly what both teams did in the second, Iran attacked more but the Russian defense stayed rock solid and did not press matters, with the period ending with the same score, Russia up 2-0.
Two of the world’s best keepers had their skills put to the test and despite the 2-0 Russian lead, P. Hossieni of Iran, was playing out of his mind as well, saving most shots rocketed his way. The final period was emotionally thrilling, to the point that the quality of play from both teams was so high that you had goose bumps watching, precision is an understatement but the struggle for both teams to score was forgotten by the crowd because of the extraordinary defense and goalkeeping. Russia would not be subdued for much longer and Shishin added another goal to push the Russian lead to 3-0. A switch in the Iranian goal could not stop the Russian machine and Paporotnyi scored his first for Russia, making the score 4-0. The European giants could not keep the shut out and Iran got on the board with a diving header from H. Abdollahi which brought the score to 4-1. The Princes of Persia still had aspirations of winning and scored again to put them down only two goals with five minutes remaining. The intensity grew with each passing second and the roar from the stadium might have registered on the Richter scale when in the final minute, Iran scored again, something out of nothing, from M. Ahmadzadeh, to get to within 4-3. Iran found the final answer and things exploded but the goal was after the final buzzer and was called off and Russia hung on 4-3.
Goals: 1-0: Krash, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Romanov, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Shishin, min. 9 (3); 4-0: Paporotnyi, min. 8 (3); 4-1: H. Abdollahi, min. 6 (3); 4-2: A. Naderi, min. 5 (3); 4-3: M. Ahmadzadeh, min. 0 (3).