Iran uses penalties again and stuns Brazil [VIDEO]
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Loading...Beachsoccer.com – The first Group B match of the day showed why it is being referred to as the Group of Death as both teams came in undefeated, Iran with a win in penalties over Russia and Brazil handling Italy.
In this second match of the day, the battle was very evenly matched again and the winner was in doubt until the final minutes in the final frame. The 4(3)-4(1) penalties win for Iran puts them closer to the semi-finals and in the driver’s seat.
Iran began taking their shots very early and looked extremely confident, very understandably, after defeating World Champions Russia yesterday. They were unable to score and on the first opportunity with the ball, Brazil got a shot past Iran and took the one goal lead. The lead did not last long as the Iranian Lions used their star keeper, Hosseini, to level things with a great strike from all the way across the pitch.
Iran was very physical in their match against Russia yesterday and early in the opening frame they continued to use that tactic against Brazil. The tactic seemed to work as the Persian were able to limit the offensive chances for Negão’s side. Brazil were not in control of the match early but as the period moved along they began to possess the ball more and see more chances. Late in the period, the Seleção scored again to restore their one goal lead. The back and forth first action continued and Iran scored again just seconds later to tie the match again. The period ended with a score of 2-2.
The last minutes of the first period saw two quick goals and many more opportunities and that same pace carried over into the opening minutes of the middle frame. Though the shots were plentiful, there were not any goals in the opening half of the period. The goalkeepers took over and flashed their unbelievable skills and acrobatically saved every shot that came towards goal. The first goal of the period came in the 6th minute when Iran struck again, the second goal from Boulokbashi, to take their first lead of the match. The intensity picked up from there and the unrelenting action saw both sides make timely tackles and stop the opponents shots. Iran did a very good job of slowing the match down to better fit their sytle of play and at the end of the middle frame the score was Iran 3-2 Brazil.
The Canarinha started the final period just how they wanted and needed to, with a quick goal. Brazil scored on a 
direct kick after a red card was given to the Iranian. Early in the period, the Asian kings was not in sync and Brazil looked very much in control though the score stayed tied. The shaky first few minutes of the period were long gone for Iran as they began to look like the team that took the lead in the middle frame. Despite their increasing confidence, they seemed unable to score again until the final three minutes, when Iran took a turnover on the Brazilian half of the field and capitalized to go up by one goal once again.
Brazil added a goal on a rebound from a direct kick and they tied the match again with two minutes left. There were no more late game heroics as the period ended tied at 4. Midway through extra time neither team had sniffed the goal as the defenses were doing more than their job in shutting down the opposition. The overtime ended with the score still tied at 4 and the match went to penalties.
The two points earned by Iran is their second straight win on penalties, against two of the worlds best teams, Russia and then Brazil. Iran, after their 4(3)-4(1) win over Brazil today, will play Italy on Thursday and will try to stay unbeaten. The loss fo Brazil is difficult to swallow but they can still reach the semi-finals as they are in control of their own destiny. They will play Russia on Thurday.
Goals: 0-1: Mauricinho, min. 10 (1); 1-1: P. Hosseini, min. 10 (1); 1-2: Eudin, min. 2 (1); 2-2: F. Boulokbashi, min. 1 (1); 3-2: F. Boulokbashi, min. 6 (2); 3-3: Bruno Xavier, min. 10 (3); 4-3: M. Hassani, min. 3 (3); 4-4: Bruno Xavier, min. 2 (3).
Penalties: A. Naderi: score; Bruno Xavier: score; M. Hassani: score; Eudin: saved; M. Ahmadzadeh: score
