Iran dethrone Russia in Dubai

Beachsoccer.com – DUBAI, Hard training had decidedly positive impact on Russia as they found themselves in their third straight Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup final. Iran was no slouch, though.

They went up one time in the first, one time in the second, and again in the third when they went up for good after a spectacular opening minute. The 4-3 win for Iran over Russia dethrones the two-time defending Intercontinental Cup champions. A spectacular calendar year for Russia ends on a slightly sour note but they constantly competed in and won almost every tournament they entered.

Iran struck first on a magnificent delivery, from one of the best keepers of the tournament, P. Hosseini, to M. Ahmadzadeh who used a flick header to get the shot past the Russian keeper. The energy was almost too much to handle as both sides were feeding off of the excited and loud fans in the jam-packed stadium. Iran maintained the one goal lead going into the middle of the first frame despite Russia having more chances on goal. That changed when another great delivery from a goalie led to the next goal, this time it was Russia, with Bukhlitskiy feeding Peremitin for the equalizer. The period came to an end with no more goals and a score of 1-1.

Excitement was non-stop in the opening minutes of the middle frame though neither team could crack the other’s defense. Russia’s keeper was asked to a little more in the opening minutes and Russia was fine with that as the score stayed level going into the heart of the period. The Persian Stars made a name for themselves in this tournament for being extremely tough and physical and the second period saw that style of play take over, but Russia was ready to fight back and did not back down. The first goal of the period came in the final minutes on a direct kick by The Iranian Lions because of a costly error by Russia, the Russian keeper held the ball for too long. The two-time defending World Cup champions took advantage of an Iranian error only a minute later to tie the game again. The period ended tied, 2-2.

Just when it looked as though the game could not get any more exciting, The Iranian Lions scored on the opening kick-off of the final frame. The opening minute thrills did not stop there as Iran added another goal seconds later to take the biggest lead of the game, two goals. In a period that could only be expected of a final, both teams, predictably so, had each player flying on offense and defense to make sure they put in a complete performance. Iran was able to exemplify this two-way mentality just a little better. In the final minutes, Iran made a big mistake with an own goal that put Russia right back in the mix. Iran continued to attack and saw many more scoring chances but were unable to add to their slim one goal lead. The final minute was full of relentless action and with 15 seconds a penalty was awarded to Russia after an Iranian hand ball, but the Shishin unexpectedly kicked the penalty wide. The period ended with Iran up 4-3.

The 4-3 victory over Russia for Iran gives them their first Intercontinental Cup title and they wrestled it away from the only owners the crown has known, Russia. The Tsars, like all their matches, played surgerically precise offense and defense but the Russians were not able to avenge their penalties loss to Iran earlier in the tournament. Russia had not lost a single match at the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup until this third edition and now they have lost two, both to The Princes of Persia.

Goals: 1-0: M. Ahmadzadeh, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Peremitin, min. 4 (1); 2-1: M. Kiani, min. 2 (2); 2-2: Shishin, min. 0 (2); 3-2: M. Ahmadzadeh, min. 11 (3); 4-2: A. Naderi, min. 11 (3); 4-3: Kiani(own goal), min. 4 (3);