Tag: Bahamas

Glory for Iran Beach Soccer

  • Iran’s third-place finish is best ever for Asian Football Confederation
  • Italy finishes in fourth place for second consecutive FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
  • Gabriele Gori scores the most goals in a single tournament since Madjer in 2006

Iran ended their Bahamas 2017 campaign on a high with a 5-3 win against Italy in the play-off for third place to become Asia’s highest ever finishers at the Beach Soccer World Cup.

These two teams met during the group stage at Bahamas 2017 with Italy edging Iran 5-4 in a thrilling match. The Europeans scored first that day, but it was Iran’s turn this time. Mohammad Ahmadzadeh scored his seventh goal of the tournament when he put away a second-chance opportunity after Moslem Mesigar’s shot was parried into his path.

Ahmadzadeh scored his second of the match early in the second period on another second-chance opportunity to take his overall tally to eight.

Mohammad Mokhtari then struck a phenomenal overhead kick to give Iran a three-goal cushion, which was fitting as Iran have attempted the most overhead kicks of anyone in the Bahamas.

Italy got back into the match courtesy of none other than Gabriele Gori. Two goals took him on to 17 – the second a curling effort from a set piece – to move him beyond Dejan Stankovic into second place for biggest hauls at a single competition. Less than a minute later, Mesigar scored his second of the tournament. 

Dario Ramacciotti brought the Azzurri back to within one goal with a well-placed, close range header. But it wasn’t enough for the Italians as Ahmadzadeh completed his hat-trick with a late penalty to ultimately seal Iran’s place in the record books.

  

 

Final Tournament Standings

So close ! Iran beach soccer loses penalty shootout.

  • You can fit the population of Tahiti into Iran 444 times (178,133 vs 79.1 million)
  • Lowest-scoring match at Bahamas 2017

Tahiti advanced to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 final after winning 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The match got off to a very tentative start with both teams weighing each other’s tactics up. Peyman Hosseini saved Li Raimana Li Fung Kuee’s penalty in the first minute. Tearii Labaste hit the crossbar with a free-kick from distance, but other than that, not many chances were created.

The opening goal finally came midway through the second period when Ali Nazem jabbed home a shot from close range after a failed clearance by Heiarii Tavanae.

Tahiti eventually showed their experience and patience when Patrick Tepa scored with four and a half minutes left in the match. Captain Naea Bennett found Tepa with a calm cross and the midfielder timed his run before putting the chance away with confidence to send the match to extra time.

Neither side could find the decisive winner in the additional period, so the game went to penalties. It took 12 attempts to decide the winner in the shoot-out, but eventually it was Raimoana Bennett who was the day’s hero. His goal sent the Tahitians to their second consecutive final.

Iran Beach Soccer qualifies for 1//4 finals

 
  • Iran finish second in Group B, Nigeria are eliminated
  • Mohammad Ahmadzadeh and Mohammad Mokhtari each score twice for the Asian champions
  • Iran will face Group A winners Switzerland in the quarter-finals on 4 May

Iran defeated Nigeria 2-1 on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw after extra time to claim the runners-up spot in Group B and reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017.

In what was an intriguing back-and-forth battle between two sides looking to make the last eight, Mohammad Ahmadzadeh and Mohammad Mokhtari each scored a pair of goals for the Asian champions.

To their credit, Nigeria gave an excellent account of themselves, with Victor Tale, Emmanuel Ohwoferia, Godspower Igudia, and Bartholomew Ibenegbu getting on the scoresheet.

After regulation and extra time could not settle matters, it was Iran that held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out to finish second in the group and set up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland on 4 May.

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