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Iran holds off Mexico to reach beach soccer World Cup quarters

Wednesday, 15 July 2015 2:27 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 15 July 2015 8:20 PM ]

Goalkeeper Peyman Hosseini and Amir Akbari of Iran celebrate victory after a Group C FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup match with Mexico at Espinho Stadium in Espinho, Portugal, on July 14, 2015. (Getty Images)

The Iranian men’s national beach soccer team has edged past the Mexican rivals 3–2 to face Tahiti in the quarter finals of the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal.

During a Tuesday match, Iran defeated Mexico to clinch a spot in the knockout stages of the World Cup eighth edition, being held in Espinho Stadium in Praia da Baía beach of the northwestern city of Espinho, over 20 kilometers south of Porto.

Mohammad Ahmadzadeh of Iran does a bicycle kick next to Francisco Cati of Mexico during the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Portugal 2015 Group C match between Mexico and Iran at Espinho Stadium, on July 14, in Espinho, Portugal. (Getty Images)

Iran’s squad, coached by Brazilian Marco Octávio, stormed into a three-goal lead to go through knockout phase as the pool’s runner up of the group C which is topped by Brazil flawlessly.

*Amir Akbari celebrates his team's first goal in Espinho, Portugal, on July 14, 2015. (Getty Images)*

Amir Akbari scored the opener for Iran in the first period followed by Mohammad Ahmadzadeh’s spectacular overhead kick and Faroogh Dara's shot in the second period. The Mexicans responded minutes later with two goals, through Gerardo Gomez and Abdiel Villa, which were not enough to save Mexico from going home.

*Mehran Morshedi (L) is challenged by Gerardo Gomez of Mexico in Espinho, Portugal, on July 14, 2015. (Getty Images)*

Octávio’s boys have beaten Spain 6-5 and lost the topsy-turvy game 4-3 to Brazil, the all-time champion of tourneys.

The last eight teams will play on July 16, when Iran will take on Tahiti, which stands at the top of group D and triumphed over FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup champions Russia with a 7-6 win.

*Iran's goalkeeper Peyman Hosseini is attended by medical staff after a tackle draws blood from his head, Espinho, Portugal, July 14, 2015. (Getty Images)*

This round of the beach soccer games is the eighth edition of the men’s competition that has been organized by FIFA since 2005. Overall, it is the 18th edition since the establishment of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 1995 as the Beach Soccer World Championships. The beach soccer World Cup was held annually between 1995 and 2009, but is the third to take place under the new biennial system.

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