Iran beach soccer team sinks Portugal 5-3 in Intercontinental Cup
Iran men’s national beach soccer team has inflicted a stunning defeat on world champion Portugal at the group stage of the 2015 Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
On Wednesday, the Iranian outfit well managed to rebound after the 4-2 loss from Tahiti in its opening match, and let down the Portuguese players 5-3 in a Group B showdown at the International Marine Club in Dubai.
Portugal’s 33-year-old Nuno Ricardo Santos Belchior grasped a unique opportunity in the 8th minute of the first period and opened up the scoring for the world champs. The Persians were quick to respond, with Mehran Morshedizadeh nailing Iran’s first shot to level the score at 1-1.
Portuguese forward Bruno Novo had an answer within a minute, and put the Southern European side 2-1 ahead.
The Iranian beach soccer players did not relinquish as the game was tense, dramatic and passionate. They had their own reply once again and Farid Boulokbashi scored the equalizer.
Both teams did not tack any more goals in the remaining moments of the first period, and the frame ended with the four goals, two for each side.
The Iranians maintained the lead in the second period, and built up pressure on Portugal’s goalpost.
The Europeans sought to ward off Iran’s offense through defense. Iranians won a spot kick in the 7th minute after Mohammad Ahmadzadeh was brought down by Portuguese player Novo. Ahmadzadeh converted the chance and Iran was up 3-2.
The Iranians continued to turn things around, and Mohammad Ali Mokhtari a scissor kick eventually scored late in the second to double up the Portuguese squad by a score of 4-2.
The Portuguese trailed back to contention as the game went into the third period, and earned an early goal, thanks to efforts made by midfielder Jordan Alexandre Santos, putting the score 4-3 for Iran.
The nail in Portugal’s coffin came with three minutes left, when Ahmadzadeh netted Iran’s fifth to seal the 5-3 victory.
Iran will play with Mexico on Thursday, while Portugal will take on Tahiti.
The 2015 Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup opened in Dubai, the UAE, on November 3, and will wrap up on November 7.
Argentina, Egypt, Russia and the host nation are in Group A. Iran has been drawn alongside Mexico, Portugal and Tahiti in Group B of the tournament.
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