Tag: FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

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

FIFA Beach Soccer : Iran advance to semi-finals for first time

  • For the first time in tournament history, all semi-finalists are from different confederations

THE DAY REPLAYED – Iran qualified for their first ever FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup semi-finals with a thrilling win in extra time against Switzerland, while experienced sides Tahiti, Brazil and Italy also booked tickets to the last four.

Iran advanced to the semi-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time in their history with a thrilling 4-3 win after extra time against Switzerland. 

  • Iran qualify for semi-finals at Beach Soccer World Cup for first time
  • Iran goalkeeper Peyman Hosseini made several saves late in the match
  • Iran will meet Tahiti in the semi-finals

Iran captain Mohammad Ahmadzadeh scored the opening goal of the match with an overhead kick. He then put Iran two goals in front with a superb, one-time volley straight out of the air directly from a throw-in.

Switzerland then sprung to life and came all the way back from two goals down to take a 3-2 lead in the second period. The country’s all-time top scorer in the tournament Dejan Stankovic started their resurgence with a flicked finish. Glenn Hodel then scored a pair of goals to give the Swiss a one-goal lead.

With less than a minute on the clock, Ali Nazem scored a clutch goal for Iran to force the match into extra time. Iran then made history when Mohammed Mokhtari redirected Amir Akbari’s shot into the net to score the winning goal. 

Iran will now face Tahiti in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Four-time champions Brazil needed a stunning overhead kick in the final two minutes of the match to see them edge past champions Portugal.

Portugal 2015 runners-up Tahiti had to work hard against Paraguay, but late strikes from Heiarii Tavanae and Patrick Tepa helped seal their progression to Saturday’s semi-finals. 

Italy’s 5-1 win over Senegal was the most dominant performance of the evening. Coach Massimo Agostini’s side were boosted b top scorer Gabriele Gori (14), who appears as if he’ll never stop scoring in the Bahamas.