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Iran beaten by Italy in 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Sunday, 30 April 2017 8:16 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 30 April 2017 8:17 AM ]

Ali Nazem (C) of Iran is challenged by Gabriele Gori (L) and Paolo Palmacci of Italy during the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Group B match between Italy and Iran at National Beach Soccer Arena of Malcolm Park in Nassau, the Bahamas, on April 29, 2017.

The Italian men's national beach soccer team has defeated Iran in the preliminary round of the 2017 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas.

On Saturday, the Gli Azzurri sealed their second win of the competitions by seeing off Team Melli Football Saheli in a Group B match played at National Beach Soccer Arena of Malcolm Park in Nassau.

The Italians started the match with vim and vigor, and took the lead through the tournament top scorer Gabriele Gori. The Iranian squad then took control of the period and scored two unanswered goals.

The Iranian team kept its dominant performance in the second period of the game with some good attacks, and could get another goal to extend the deficit.

The Persians lost momentum in the third quarter, and even though stood firm against the Gli Azzurri, it was the Italian team that powered through at the end. The Italians ultimately won 5-4 and ended the game.

The 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which is the ninth edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, kicked off in Nassau, the Bahamas, on April 27, and will wrap up on May 7. Portugal is the defending champion.

The hosts, Ecuador, Senegal and Switzerland are drawn in Group A. Iran is pitted against Italy, Mexico and Nigeria in Group B. Panama, Paraguay, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates shape Group C. Group D consists of Brazil, Japan, Poland and Tahiti.

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