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Iran lands in 3rd place at 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup

Sunday, 02 October 2016 1:38 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 02 October 2016 1:40 AM ]

Iran's players celebrate after winning their Colombia 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup third-place match against Portugal at the Coliseo El Pueblo stadium, in Cali, Colombia on October 1, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Iran capped-off their remarkable run at the tournament, with a penalty-shootout-win over Portugal, claiming 3rd place for their best finish in a Futsal World Cup.

The teams played a goalless first half on Saturday, but the match sprang into life in the 2nd half, with cardinal handing Portugal the lead in the 21st minute.

Cardinal completed his brace just moments later when he combined with captain Richardinho to make it 2-nil. However, the Iranians who had knocked-out 2-time defending champions Brazil in the round of 16, did not give up.

They halved their deficit through Afshin Kazemi in the 26th minute, before restoring parity with less than 5 minutes remaining, when Mahdi Javid converted a second penalty to send the contest into a penalty shoot-out.

Portugal’s Joao Matos hit the post with his sixth-round spot-kick before Javid converted his effort to help Iran win the shoot-out 4-3, and clinch 3rd place.

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