News / Sports

Iran remains best beach soccer outfit in Asia

Monday, 04 January 2016 3:15 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 04 January 2016 3:15 PM ]

Iran men’s national beach soccer team (file photo)

Iran men’s national beach soccer team has maintained its place as the best team in Asia and the sixth spot in the world in the December 2015 edition of the Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) rankings.

According to the latest monthly rankings released by the BSWW, the organization responsible for the founding and growth of the association football derivative sport of beach soccer, the Iranian side accumulated 1,702 points to be named Asia’s best team.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) claimed the 11th slot in the global rankings and the second place in Asia with 1,019 points. The Emiratis were followed by the Japanese and Omanis, who occupied the 12th and 14th spots respectively with 1,013 and 848 points.

Russia is the top-ranked beach soccer team in the world with 3,500 points. Portugal earned 3,247 points to land in the second position. Third-place Brazilians collected 2,483 points. Italy stood fourth with 2,099 points.

On November 7, Iran’s national beach soccer team achieved a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the third-place playoff match of the 2015 Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in the UAE.

The game, staged at the International Marine Club in Dubai, went into penalties after the two sides drew 2-2 at the end of three periods.

Ali Naderi, Mehran Morshedzadeh and Amir Hossein Akbari were Iran’s goal scorers in the shootouts, while Egypt missed the third penalty kick.

Russia won the title after defeating Tahiti 5-2 in the final match.

The 2015 Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup opened in Dubai, the UAE, on November 3, and wrapped up on November 7.

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