Tag: Dubai

Iran lifts Intercontinental Beach Soccer 2018 Trophy

Iran Beach Soccer Team, made history by lifting the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer 2018 Trophy in Dubai after beating Russia 4-2 in the final on Saturday.

The atmosphere  of the packed stands in the Kite Beach in Jumeirah was electrifying as both the Iranian and Russian fans made themselves heard even before the start of the match. for both sets of fans livened up the proceedings at the 3,500-seater, state of the art stadium with drum beats and horns.

Iran were 3-0 ahead in the first period as the Russians were stunned by the wave after wave of Iranian offensive moves. By the third period, Russia managed to pull 1 goal back to make it 3-1 but Iran scored again to make it 4-1

Russia, quite fatigued from yesterdays marathon and difficult win in the semi-final but s yet still determined to make a game of it against Iran, pulled one more goal back in the 3rd period to make it 4-2. After the Russian goal, they attacked in force but they were open for Iranian counter attack of which many chances were missed to increase Iran’s tally of goals.

At the end of the action-packed 36 minutes , it did not matter as the two goal victory margin was maintained by Iran until the end to win their second Intercontinental Beach Soccer  Trophy after 2013. Ahmadzadeh lifted the cup as the players and Iranian fans rejoiced.

For the Asian champions and winners of the 2013 competition, it was the second win against Russia and the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

 

Iran registers 2nd win in Beach Soccer

Iran Beach Soccer National Team defeated Tahiti 4-2 at the 2018 Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday in Dubai. The team is now has two wins in as many matches.

 

The National Team which had started the competition with a 8-1 routing of U.S. in Group B, will meet Russia to decide the group winners. In Tuesday match , the Asian champion had seven different players scoring as it ran riot with an 8-1 thumping of the USA in the late match of Tuesday night.

Mohammad Moradi opened the scoring in the very first minute and then added a second midway to be the only one from his team with a brace, while the other goals came from his teammates Amir Hossein Akbari, Mohammad Ahmadzadeh, Mustafa Kiani, Moslem Mesigar, Mohammad Masoumizadeh and Ali Mirshekari as Iran led 8-0 by the end of the second period.

Gabriel Silveira pulled a goal back for the American team.

The tournament, which is organized by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), is being held in Dubai, the UAE from November 6 to 10.

 

Iran vs Tahiti Match Goals:

0-1: Amir Hossein Akbari, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Mohammad Masoumizadeh, min. 1 (1); 0-3: Hamid Behzadpour, min. 0 (1); 0-4: Mohammad Masoumizadeh, min. 5 (2); 1-4: Lebaste, min. 5 (2); 2-4: Zaveroni, min. 0 (3);

Mick McDermott raises the anger against Queiroz!

Mehr New sport service published an article on the recent exchanges between FFIRI personnel of Team Melli and Omid Team. The article is highly critical of Queiroz and his assistants and once again ignited the arguments against the Portuguese coach, who is never ever more than inches away from controversy.

Here is a brief excerpt

Mick McDermott the assistant coach of the team Melli, in response to Hamid Estilli’s remarks which he said that “I would go to the World Cup at my own expense and await the federation’s response to use the PAC Center”, the right hand man of Queiroz said “It seems that Mr. Estilli is confusing Team Melli with the circus! If you are looking to use the bear for a circus, you should use the bears that you have left in Myanmar.”

This is the comment of Carlos Queiroz s assistant. The Portuguese man who has been using such offensive and vulgar literature for many years over and over against some of Iran’s most respected sports personnel, soccer directors and officials including civil servants. He has now delegated  this task to his soldier to fire back at Hamid Estili

McDermott has used the same “bad” literature as Carlos Queiroz. The literature of “insult” to an Iranian legend is just like the style of the Portuguese professor and his student who will naturally follow suite.

Experts and the media have repeatedly criticized Queiroz and his subordinates for these coarse manners. Rude remarks, lack of respect and contempt, is contradictory to the Iranian culture, Queiroz camp has infuriated many respected personalities and it seems they are adamant to continue while there seems that nothing is going to repel them. Surely, a feeble head of the Federation who is on a shaky ground himself has neither the courage nor the desire to put them straight.

What kind of glory and successes has Queiroz and his coaching team achieved for Iran to justify such insults to everyone, is beyond comprehension!.  Which great success has been made for Iranian football, which is so outrageous to the footballers and honors of this country?

Hamid Estilli will always remain the hero in the history of Iranian football for that strike on the USA team in 1998, if Queiroz and his assistants have done a great job in the FIFA World Cup 2018, when they won a single match thanks to the their opponents’ own goal and drew once with a last minute penalty, the like of Estili have done many honors too.

If the Queiroz end result in the World Cup was praised by the leader of the Revolution, Hamid Estilli, with a goal against the United States, was especially praised by the Supreme Leader, and they kissed the goal scorer on the forehead.

Why Queiroz and his assistants think that they have done miracles for this football.?Team Melli won praise for the  good results in the World Cup, but which critic and football expert said that Iran’s played a beautiful game and showcased audience? Who is the fair expert who has forgotten the long minutes of “Hail Mary” style of football against Morocco, Spain and albeit to much less against Portugal?

Team Melli head coach and his assistants should know their limits and not extend their legs beyond their bed cover. Of course, in reality, they are not to be blamed, the blame is solely on the federation’s officials, who, from day one, did not take the correct action against misdemeanors of Queiroz for whatever reasons.

All what Hamid Estili said, which Queiroz and his assistant found offensive (..) , was a demand by Estili, the appointed Manager of Omid Team (U 23), for his squad to utilize the facilities of the national team camp. Is this training camp built for Queiroz and his assistants and players only?? It seems like that because the mere request by Estili has ignited the wrath of Queiroz coaching staff.

 

Who is Michael “Mick” McDermott

Born 1974 in Belfast,  Northern Ireland.  Irish former professional player, McDermott has held various coaching roles in professional football clubs as well as at the international level over the past 15 years. He has held coaching positions at some of Asia’s biggest Clubs; Al Ain FC (Abu Dhabi), Esteghlal FC (Tehran), Al Nasr FC (Dubai).

In 2011 he was part of Carlos Queiroz coaching staff. In 2012 he left his job with Team Melli citing family issues, but then joined Al Nasr club of Dubai in the same capacity of assistant coach. However, in 2017 he turned up in Iran once again this time as the assistant coach of Esteghlal lead by the German head coach Winfried Schäfer.  His contract was terminated in October 2017 and then he re-joined Carlos Queiroz in Team Melli where he is currently an Assistant Coach.

 

Iran to face Iraq, Yemen and Vietnam in AFC Asian Cup 2019

The draw for the AFC Asian Cup was held In a grand spectacle at the United Arab Emirates Burj Khalifa,

Team Melli , Asia’s best ranked side, who are looking to secure their fourth title and their first since 1976, were drawn in Group D alongside 2007 winners Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen, who will be appearing in their first tournament since their unification.

 Hosts UAE, who were positioned in first place in Group A, will kick-off Asia’s most prestigious tournament against Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 5, 2019.

The host nation will be looking to improve on their second place finish the last time the competition was held in the UAE in 1996, but will face formidable opponents in India and Thailand who complete the cast in Group A.

Meanwhile defending champions Australia were drawn in Group B with 2004 and 2011 quarter-finalists Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, who return to the competition following their absence in Australia 2015.

Continent powerhouses and 2015 finalists Korea Republic, who are on the hunt for their first title since 1960, were drawn in Group C with two-time runners-up China PR as well as two debutants in the UAE 2019 – Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines.

In Group E, two-time champions Saudi Arabia were drawn with 2011 hosts Qatar, Lebanon, who will be returning to the competition for only the second time after a 19 year absence as well as DPR Korea.

The tournament’s most successful side with four titles, Japan are in Group F and will face Uzbekistan, who have progressed past the group stage for the last four editions of the competition as well as Oman and Turkmenistan.

In an action-packed night graced by some of the biggest names in Asian football, the final draw also introduced a USD$14.8 million total prize money, the unveiling of a stunning new trophy, a cutting-edge Molten match ball and the launch of the tournament’s official mascots – Mansour and Jarrah.

The Zayed Sports City Stadium will also host the final on February 1, 2019 after 28 days of enthralling action with the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and Al Nahyan Stadium hosting the remaining matches in Abu Dhabi.

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium will host the matches in Al Ain and Sharjah Stadium in the Emirate of Sharjah. Al Maktoum Stadium and Al Rashid Stadium are the two venues in Dubai.

Iran Beach soccer on the podium at Intercontinental Championship 2017

Iran Beach Soccer Team finished the 2017 on a high note after winning the 3rd place play-off against 3 times champions Russia in the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Dubai 2017 today .

The match in Dubai , was between two semi-finals losers as Iran narrowly lost the match to the World Champions Brazil , while the same story was repeated when Portugal surprised Russia in the other semi-final 3-2.

Brazil were given stern examination of their credentials by Iran in the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup in the semi final yesterday before eventually progressing to Saturday’s final with a 6-4 win. The world champions will take on Portugal on the final day, having been given a real scare by Marco Octavio’s Iran who recovered from 5-2 down to get within a goal of the holders thanks to the impressive Mostafa Kiani.

In the third place playoff, the Iranian men took revenge for the  group match loss which ended 4-3 for the Russian in extra time. The winning Russian goal was scored by Iran’s own player for a bitter & disappointing end.

IN this match Russia started the scoring in the 2nd period after an eventless first period.  However, Iran’s reserve goalkeeper Hamid Behzadpour equalized from a long-range shot into the Russian net. Soon Iran went ahead 2-1 when Mohammad Ahmadzadeh scored his 29th goal in this tournament.

Mohammad Moradi made it  3-1 and Iran was sailing , Romanov scored Russia’s second goal to make it 3-2 and a nervous few minutes for the Persians.

Russia goalkeeper then committed a grave error b handling just outside the zone as he was sent off. The subsequent free kick was blasted into the roof of the net by Mostafa Kiani  to secure a valuable 4-2 win for Iran and a 3rd place position.

 

Iran Beach Soccer Matches

Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup Dubai 2017

 

Group Stage – Group B
October 31, 2017
Iran IRN     5 – 2        PAR Paraguay
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November 01, 2017
Group Stage – Group B
Mexico MEX     1 – 4      IRN Iran
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November 02, 2017
Group Stage – Group B
Iran IRN   3 – 4 (AET)  RUS Russia
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November 03, 2017
Semi-finals
Brazil BRA     6 – 4      IRN Iran
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November 04, 2017
Play-off for 3rd place
Russia RUS     2 – 4     IRN Iran

Queiroz resigns his post again, FFIRI rejects!

Once again, Carlos Queiroz resigned his post as the Head Coach of Team Melli.

It is confirmed that Mehdi Taj, President of FFIRI  and Carlos Queiroz had a 5 hour meeting at the Iranian Club in Dubai on Friday, the result of which was Queiroz asking to be relieved of his duty as the head coach. However, neither Taj nor any other FFIRI official has confirmed acceptance of Queiroz resignation or provide any details officially.

The latest episode was the resultant of a dispute between Persepolis coach Branko Ivank0ovic and Carlos Queiroz regarding the timing of the  current Team Melli camp in Dubai and the interruption it has caused the league clubs. Persepolis is enjoying a good run of results and comfortably occupying the top of the league. Ivankovic’s criticisms lead the Portuguese coach to victimize seven Persepolis player by sending them home from the camp in Dubai to Tehran.  This act was met by strong protest by the club and threats of boycott by the club because of the behavior of the coach.

The Training camp in Dubai, which did not include all the legionnaires players, and then with 7 key players of Team Melli , ended in failure and without the previously arranged friendly with Morocco. All the squad returned back to Tehran while Queiroz stayed in Dubai.

Stay tuned for further details.

Third place for Iran in the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2015

Team Melli Beach soccer Team defeated Egypt on penalties to win the third place in the 2015 edition of Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai. Iran relies on defense and clutch penalties for 3rd Place

The 2(3)-2(2) penalties win for Iran over Egypt was stressful for the fans of each country and the players, but the general population were thrilled with a cracker of a match. Neither team scored in the opening frame, adding to the on the sand drama. To make the match even tastier was the fact that regular time and an extra three minutes could not provide a winner. The victory was breathtaking for the Iranians and heartbreaking for the Egyptians as Egypt led throughout but a last minute goal from Iran sent the game into an extra frame, then the penalty shoot-out went the way of Iran. The triumph puts Iran in 3rd Place after a great Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai. Egypt clawed their way to 4th Place and they very well could have earned 3rd or even higher. 

The Iranian and Egyptian rivalry goes beyond the pitch but all that was forgotten when the players stepped on the pitch, though the high-energy desire to win did not leave the players’ minds. Egypt began mounting their attacks very early and they had the Lions of the Atlas scared, but the Pharaohs did not get the initial goal or goals they were hoping for, in part because of the stellar play from Hosseini, the Iranian  goalkeeper. Things settled for Iran, though not the pace, and they pushed Egypt to the brink of ceding a goal on many ocassions, but the back-and-forth play made for a spectacular viewing experience.  The goalies made sure and put on a show for the fans and the score was 0-0 when the clock struck zero, signifying the end of the first frame. The next goal, which would be the first in the match would be a huge advantage for the scoring team but the African side and the Asian side were not able to get that elusive goal in the first minutes of the middle frame. The goal came it was a perfect strike from M. Samir just before the halfway point in the match, and the score sat at 1-0 for the Egyptians going into the final minutes of the period. Iran found their equalizer shortly after the Egyptian goal but the rest of the period went scoreless and the match went into the final period tied at 1-1.

The tension was everywhere as the final frame began with no clear cut winner, not even an advantage for either team, and the fans and players were feeling the tension. The score sat at 1-1 until M. Abdelnabi scored his first on the day and put the African side up 2-1 early in the frame. Egypt was not intimidated by the very established Iranian side, who many of which had selected to win this tournament, and they, Egypt, stuck to their game plans and were able to hold down the Asian team. The score did not shift as the clocked moved towards the middle of the frame and the Egyptians were getting anxious that the number were moving too slow. Egypt needed their keeper to keep Iran off the board again, and in the first half of the period he did a splendid job and kept the score at 2-1 for his team with the end of the match drawing near. All that changed when Iran erupted for their second goal, tying the game at 2 with one minute left. The teams rushed the net on both ends, looking for the deciding goal but the goal did not come and the game went into the three minute extra frame. The rapid extra period went scoreless and the teams headed into a penalty shoot-out.

Goals: 1-0: M. Samir, min. 7 (2); 1-1: A. Akbari, min. 5 (2); 2-1: M. Abdelnabi, min. 10 (3); 2-2: F. Boulokbashi, min. 1 (3).

Penalties: A. Naderi: Make; M. Samir: Make; M. Morshedi: Make; A. Aboserie: Make; A. Akbari; Make; Hassane: Miss.

Iran Beach Soccer cruises to the semi-finals

Iran Beach Soccer team advances to the semi-finals of Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup 2015  for a clash with Russia with a big third period marked by a brilliant hat trick from Ahmadzadeh.

 

The 5-2 win for Iran over Mexico had its ups and downs for both teams but it ended on an extremely high note for the Asian side. Iran took first blood and were well on their way to a blowout when Mexico turned things around and knotted things up, but Iran was helped by the pro-Iran crowd and drew on their energy and delighted the fans with a great defensive display as well as offensive showcase. The win gives Iran second place in the group and they will be heading to the semi-finals to play Russia in the last game of the day on Friday. The Mexican side were forced to try and come from behind in each match and could not pull off any of the comebacks but they will be playing in the consolation semis on Friday against the UAE.

Iran knew that if they could win their second straight match that they would be advancing to the semis but a very competitive and best team that CONCACAF, king of the confederation, had to offer was in their way. The obstacle for the Lions of the Atlas did not seem as daunting after they calmed their nerves and scored the first goal of the match. But the North American side was entirely in the fight and they hung strong after giving up the goal and going into the last minutes of the period, the score remained 1-0 for Iran. The on-field battles continued and the Tri Color saw their opportunities increase but nothing could be done with them and it was Iran who capitalized again, netting their second and taking that 2-0 lead into the first break. Mexico took the deficit as a challenge and started the second period on a different note and with a chip on their shoulder. The Mexicans hit home a beautiful header in the first minute of the second period, to cut the Iranian lead in half at 2-1. The Mexicans did not stop there and confused the Iran defense when they scored the equalizer, putting the score at 2-2. But then it was Mexico’s turn to get disoriented on defense when Iran scored their third goal on a great bicycle in traffic that someone got through to put the score at 3-2 for the Lions of the Atlas going into the final break. 

Iran began the final period by trying desperately to get at least one insurance goal but it did not come in the early going as Mexico was employing their signature tight defense, though that limited their offensive ability at the same time. Iran was knocking on the door but with six minutes gone from the period, there were no goals to show for the effort. However, past the midway point in the frame, M. Ahmadzadeh scored his second goal to give Iran a seemingly safe cushion of two goals at 4-2. Mexico began to rush and looked for the offense that they had lacked thus far, but with the Iranian keeper, Hosseini, between the pipes, it was difficult to find goals, and that has almost always been the case for Iran’s’ opponents. The Iranians held off the Mexican attacks and the final score was 5-2 for Iran. 

 

Goals: 0-1: M. Hassani, min. 9 (1); 0-2: A. Naderi, min. 8 (1); 1-2: G. Pichardo, min. 11 (2); 2-2: A. Villa, min. 8 (2); 2-3: M. Ahmadzadeh, min. 1 (2); 2-4: M. Ahadzadeh, min. 5 (3); 2-5: M. Ahmedzadeh, min. 5 (3).

 

Group B in flux after Iran shocks Portugal in Beach soccer.

Iran men’s national beach soccer team defeated the European powerhouse Portugal 5-3 on Wednesday in the Group B match of the 2015 Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The 5-3 win for Iran over the Portugal was the perfect rebound for Iran and letdown for Portugal but the fans won the biggest as the game was tense, dramatic, and passionate. Portugal took the first bite of the cherry but things were so equal that a big first period for both teams left the score tied at 2-2. Iran then dug deep and drew off the very friendly crowd to take the little steps and goals they needed to charge ahead and earn the win. The triumph leaves Group B up in the air going into the last day as it was the first win Iran, with Portugal also owning one win. Tahiti has two wins in the group but Portugal will play Tahiti on Thursday, while Iran will take on Mexico, and as it looks, each team needs a win to be safe.

iran_beachSoccer 2

Iran came into the match needing a win, as they lost on opening day to Tahiti but it was the world champs who scored first, leaving the Iranians down 1-0 and searching for a spark. The Lion of the Atlas were able to find that energy when they nailed home their first shot before the midway point in the frame. Portugal had an answer and responded within a minute but the Asian side had their own answer yet again and the game settled at 2-2 going into the final minutes of the period. The score did not shift and the first 12 minutes ended with the four goals, two for each side. The expectations might have been for more and more immediate goals, but the goalies began making bigger and bigger saves and the scored stayed at 2-all until Iran took their first lead of the day, on a penalty kick, to go up 3-2 near the halfway point of the match. Portugal kept their nerves but they knew that letting Iran hang around and build confidence would doom the Portuguese. The Iranians continued to turn things around from that early goal they gave up and they eventually scored late in the second to double up the Portuguese squad, by a score of 4-2, which is how things would hold going into the decisive final 12 minutes.

Iran beach soccer

Far from out of it, the Portuguese started the trail back to contention with an early goal from Jordan, which blew past the great Peyman Hosseini, the splendid keeper for Iran, and it put the score 4-3 for Iran, going into the heart of the period. For all of the close calls and saves from Iran, Portugal was still needing to employ their solid defense and goalkeeping with Iran attacking just as much. The crossbars on both ends of the field were taking a beating with Portugal and Iran doing their best to shatter them, or score a goal, though one of those things was obviously more important. The sense was Portugal was going to score but the stout Iranian defense was able to keep the score at 4-3 going into the final minutes of the game. The nail in the coffin came with three minutes left when Iran netted their fifth and then they hung on for the 5-3 victory.

 

Goals: 0-1: Belchior, min. 8 (1); 1-1: M. Morshedi, min. 8 (1); 1-2: B. Novo, min. 7 (1); 2-2: F. Boulokbashi, min. 6 (1); 3-2: M. Ahmadzadeh, min 7 (2); 4-2: F. Boulokbashi, min. 3 (2); 4-3: Jordan , min. 9 (3); 5-3: M. Ahmadzadeh, min. 3 (3).

On November 23, 2013, Iran beat Russia 4-3 in the final match of the 2013 edition of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in Dubai to win the title.

Iran Beach soccer lose the opener match.

Iran men’s national beach soccer team has suffered its first loss at the group stage of the 2015 Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

On Tuesday evening, Asian powerhouse Iran lost to the strong Tahiti national beach soccer team by two points in its Group B opener played at the International Marine Club in Dubai.

Both teams got off to a fine start, knowing that goals would be hard to come by. Tahitian sportsmen were steady in their offense and defense, fighting through a very competitive Iranian side.

Tahiti’s Tearii Labaste finally jumped at an ideal chance in the third minute of the first period to open the scoring for the South Pacific side.  

Heimanu Taiarui doubled the lead for the Tahitian beach soccer team two minutes later, and the world vice champions went into the breather with a two-goal lead. 

Tahiti beach soccer team retained the lead and Naea Tommy Irving Bennett scored his first goal four minutes into the second period, putting Tahiti 3-0 ahead.

Tahitians did not relinquish as the game extended into the third and final period. The 38-year-old Bennett took advantage of a marvelous opportunity in the 10th minute of the period, and tacked his second goal to make it 4-0 for Tahiti.

Mohammad Ahmadzadeh of Iran took up a great chance a minute later, and kicked the Persians’ first goal.

Ahmadzadeh made his second goal of the match in the 11th minute of the third period, and turned Iran’s deficit into 4-2 before the referee blew his whistle and called it a day. 

In Tuesday’s other games, strong contenders Portugal sank Mexico 5-3, Russia produced an emphatic 5-1 win over Argentina. The United Arab Emirates went down to Egypt 3-2.

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

Argentina, Egypt, Russia and the host nation are in Group A.

Iran has been drawn alongside Mexico, Portugal and Tahiti in Group B of the tournament.