Iran claims title at Persian Beach Soccer Cup

The Iran men’s national beach soccer team has put a thrilling end to its campaign at the Persian Beach Soccer Cup in the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr, clinching the international tournament’s title with an unblemished record.

The Iranian squad defeated the national Italian beach soccer team – nicknamed Gli Azzurri (The Blues) – 4-3 in the final showdown at Bushehr Tourism Village on Thursday evening.

Forward Mohammad Ahmadzadeh scored a brace while Mohammad Ali Mokhtari and Mostafa Kiani netted a goal each for Iran’s Team Melli Football Saheli.

Francesco Corosiniti, Paolo Palmacci and Emanuele Zurlo were on target for the Italian team as well.

Earlier in the day, European champion Poland and Euro Beach Soccer League winner Ukraine took on each other in a close-fought contest.

Ukraine’s Yellow-Blues players dominated the first period and much of the second half. Ivan Glutskyi, Oleksii Illichov and Oleg Zborovskyi seized opportunities on three separate occasions, and scored three goals for the Ukrainian team.

Polish player Piotr Klepczarek scored a goal before an own goal by Illichov narrowed the arrears as the game approached the final few minutes.

Ukrainian forward Viktor Panteleychuk, though, sealed his team’s win with the fourth and final goal. The victory ultimately ensured Ukraine’s second place in the overall chart ahead of Italy and Poland.

The Persian Beach Soccer Cup kicked off in Bushehr, southern Iran, on February 14 and finished on February 16, 2017.

The international sports event brought together national beach soccer teams from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Italy, Poland and Ukraine.

Amirhossein Akbari from Iran was named as the Most Valuable Player of the three-day sports event.

Italy's Gabriele Gori became the meet's top-scorer with five goals, and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Hladchenko was selected as the best goalkeeper.

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