Old school and new school to battle for final
Russia is back in the final while newcomers Tahiti earned the right to vie for the Cup and Iran and Egypt ready for 3rd Place Match
Iran lost the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2015 semi final 4-1 against Russia on Friday.
The 4-1 win for Russia over Iran was so loud that it was nearly impossible to think about anything but the first-class beach soccer that was on display. The two sides began by racing up and down the side and from side to side, trying wear out the other team and score as many goals as possible, but the goals did not come in the first period, they did however in the second. Though they only came for the Russians, but that did not matter to half of the fans, or the Russian bench for that matter. The Asian side was not able to overcome the four second period goals, three coming from Makarov alone. The win was a rebound for Russia as they lost their last group match, but it was still the Russians’ third win in four games, and it puts them in the final against Tahiti on Saturday. Iran had won two straight coming into this match but they will need to revamp their offense if they hope to beat the feisty Egyptian side in the 3rd Place Match on Saturday.
Russia and Iran may not be rivals due to a lack of proximity but they are rivals nonetheless as they have played each other in almost every big tournament across the globe and the only downside to this weekend match in Dubai was that it was in the semis. It began with excitement on the pitch, which just so happened to be inspired by or inspiring the fans, half of which were screaming for Russia and the other half were yelling for Iran. The packed stadium was rocking with the music and getting louder with each spectacular save, and the score remained 0-0 going into the final minute of the first period. The steam powered period flew by as if the two heavyweights were literally boxing and the moment you look up, it is the 12th round and a coaches decision. What made this game better than a Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather bout, was that this was real and actually happening, and there were still two more periods, with the first 12 minutes being the most exciting 0-0 frame you could see. The European side was able to eventually got a shot past Hosseini, giving Russia the 1-0 lead early in the second, but it was only a matter of time before Iran did the same. Unfortunately for the Lions of the Atlas, that goal would not come before the Big Red Beach Machine added to their lead, scoring their second and third goals before the midway point of the match. Makarov would add his third goal, giving him a hat-trick in only one period and the frame would end with Russia up 4-0.
Iran may have lost a little energy when Russia knocked the wind out of them in the big second period, but they were still a very formidable force and if Russia could score big, so could they. Russia’s plug-and-play system has worked for years and this game was no different as they subbed in the second goalie, and were still on pace for a shut-out with four minutes gone in the final frame, and the same went for their defenders and forwards, as if any line-up could work against any team. The play began getting very physical as the Russians were trying to hold off the Iranians and Iran was trying, unsuccessfully, to get back into proceedings and the score stayed at 4-0 for Russia with only half of the period left. It was at that midway point that Iran got on the board, but in the end, it was Russia who earned the 4-1 win.
Goals: 1-0: Makarov, min. 10 (2); 2-0: Shaikov, min. 6 (2); 3-0: Makarov, min. 6 (2); 4-0: Makarov, min. 1 (2); 4-1: F. Boulokbashi, min. 6 (3).
Upcoming Matches:
local time UAE GMT+4
Saturday 07.11.15
12:15 – Argentina vs. Mexico (7th Place)
13:30 – Portugal vs. UAE (5th Place)
14:45 – Egypt vs. Iran (3rd Place)
16:00 – Tahiti vs. Russia (Final)
Azadshar
