Beach Soccer World Cup: Iran Squander Two Goal Lead to Lose to Brazil [VIDEO]

PFDC – Iran squandered a two goal lead in its second match of the 2015 Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal, to lose to Brazil by a score of 4-3.  Despite the loss, Team Melli can still qualify for the quarterfinals but have to wait until Tuesday and completion of all the group matches.

For the second time in as many matches, Iran took the lead with less than two minutes on the clock with a long range shot – this time from Akbari – and gave up that lead within 30 seconds after a strike from Brazilian Ddi.

But unlike the last match, it was Team Melli that soon found itself in the driver seat and took the lead compliments of a second goal from Akbari off a free-kick in the 4th minute.  Iran doubled the lead with a wonderful strike from Ahmadzadeh, less then a minute later.

Hosseini showed why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world with some impressive saves in the first period that preserved Iran’s lead.  But there was little he could do on a penalty kick from Xavier in the last minute of the first period or a well-struck overhead kick from Bokinha 13 seconds later that restored parity.

Hosseini made another phenomenal save, 2:27 seconds into the second period, off a Ddi penalty, redeeming himself after having given away the penalty.  Neither team was able to convert their chances in the remainder of the second period.

It was the Canarinha who finally broke the deadlock and took the lead for the first time in the match, with a goal line tap-in from Mauricinho, just over a minute into the 3rd period.  That goal was enough to give the Brazilians their second win, as Team Melli failed to respond with another goal.

Iran takes on Mexico on Tuesday in its final match of the group stage.  Despite being ranked above Iran, the Mexicans have failed to impress in this tournament and are all but mathematically eliminated without a single point and a -6 goal difference.

A victory against Mexico will drastically improve Team Melli’s chances of reaching the quarterfinals but they would still have to wait for the result of the Brazil-Spain match.  A Spanish victory in regulation time in that match can complicate the final standings for the group.

Mexico-Iran Match Time:  13:00 Local Time, 08:00 EST, 14:00 CEST, 16:30 Tehran time