Tag: Dubai

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.

Young Iranians draw with Argentina

Dubai , UAE

From Teammelli.com reporter:

Iran’s youth football team U-17 drew with Argentina 1-1 in their first match of FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament currently held in Emirates. The Group E match game played today, (Saturday) at Rashid Stadium in Dubai in presence of 18000 fans the majority of which were Iranian fans whose tremendous support and chants lifted the spirit of the young Iranian players.

While Doustimehr boys gained a point from this draw, it could have been so easily been 3 points if the Team Melli U-17 were more composed in front of the goal of their more famous opponents, Argentina.

The match started with a bang. As early as the first minute of the match, Mostafa Hashemi smashed the ball in the back of the Argentine net to score his and Iran’s first goal in the tournament.

The Latin Americans championship title holders were shocked. The early goal was scored when the Argentine defenders failed to clear a ball in their box. The loose ball reached Iran’s Mostafa Hashemi who was lurking just behind the box. He lashed at the ball with a ferocious drive from outside the penalty area to score a spectacular goal and  stun the Argentines. The  stadium stands erupted with joy while many Iranians fans were still drifting in to take their seats.

The shock that Argentine players felt put them on overdrive to recover from this early deficit, however, several opportunities were also gifted to Iran before their  equalizer.

Karimi’s chance in particular when he shot from distance in the 13th minute, could have made it 2-0 for Iran, but the ball cleared the bar by inches. A minute after that , Argentina equalized.  The equalizer was against the run of the play as Iran had more of the ball and control of the game. In fact, the goal scored was the first serious attack that Argentina has mounted. Sebastian was lurking between several Iranian markers who failed to notice him and the young Argentine received a diagonal ball neatly slotted the ball past Iran’s Keeper for the equalizer.

 Iran continued playing a neat game with glimpses of individual skills from the youngsters. The Iranians always looked dangerous. In the 27 minutes, the fans were up  celebrating ,when   fierce shot by Ali Hazamy rattled the Argentine post. To the dismay of the Iranian fans who were all up waiting to celebrate the second goal, the ball bounced out of play instead of  going in the net. Iran long range shooting continued with Jaffary trying a shoot from distance in 36th minutes, but the Argentine keeper was alert to it and parried it away.

Argentina however,  refused to let Iran dictate thee game and take control. Their tactics was to attack from the flanks utilizing the speed and the skill of their wingers and half backs. Twice the players from the right flank created scoring opportunities, the first chance was a shot directly hit Iran’s keeper who collected it with a bit of an effort, while the next one cleared the goal post to safety. Argentina looked dangerous in attack.

 Overall, it was an entertaining half with Iran having the better of Argentina playing with flair and poise.  Chances were missed, however there were also some neat football played to the delight of the fans.

In the second half Argentina started as the better team. It seemed they were under instruction to score an early goal in this half and let the Iranians chase the rest of game. In the first five minutes of the half, they had the control of the ball as and several scoring opportunities , with Dousitmehr players saw little of  the ball and control they enjoyed in the first half.

The pressure by the Argentine, resulted in two serious threats on Mehdi Amini’s goal. The first of which Amini had to save twice from the Argentine forward, while the second was cleared after several attempts from the defenders. But the Argentine control soon faded as Iran regained the confidence and started distributing the ball once again in the midfield area. With the match progressing though, there were a series of bad passes by both teams. It could have been the effect of fatigue and the humid weather. Also this period saw both teams reverting to direct football which lowered the quality of the game. Both sets of players were playing cautiously and somehow it seems that they were content with the result.

on 61 minutes Iran’s Gholizdeh easily dribbled pass his marker and had only the goalkeeper to beat, but his shot was feeble and was easily saved. A good chance missed.

In response, in 64th minutes Jonathan Kanth , rolled a beautiful ball to Dryvsy which provided an opportunity for the creative Argentine forward to double his tally , but the Argentine goal scorer could not finish and a certain chance went up in the air. Two minutes later, the ball ended in the back of Iran’s net , but it was disallowed by the referee.

In the 81st minute, Argentine defender was sent off after receiving his second yellow and the South American champions were 1 man down for the rest of the match. That shortage, however, did not prevent them from attacking Iran’s goal. One chance went just over the bar.

The last few minutes, the players who were visibly tired, started passing the ball whenever they had possession with very little inclination to attack.

When the referee blew for the final whistle, it was clear that the Iranians were the happier team with this result , although the Argentinians did not seem to sad either.

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fifa.com

A first-half flourish featured the best chances for Argentina, who were reduced to ten men late in the second half, and Iran as the two sides fought to a 1-1 draw, earning each a point for their FIFA U-17 World Cup campaigns.

Mostafa Hashemi celebrated his 17th birthday in style by putting Iran ahead inside the first minute of the match with a delightful half-volley from distance that caught everyone in Dubai’s Sheikh Rashid Stadium, including Argentina goalkeeper Augusto Batalla, off guard.

Iran continued to attack and maintained heavy pressure in the early stages of the contest but Argentina found their equaliser in the 15th minute through Sebastien Driussi. The Argentine No9 received Marcos Astina’s cross near the top of Iran’s penalty area and did very well to make good contact to send the ball through traffic and past Iran keeper Mahdi Amini.

Midway through the first-half Ali Hazami hit a powerful strike from 35 yards out that had Batalla beaten, but fortunately for Argentina’s custodian, his effort crashed off the far post and away from danger. Enjoying the majority of possession, Iran were searching for the lead and Saeid Ezatolahi found himself with a clear look on goal for their best chance to go ahead before the break, but he should have done better with his opportunity as his volley harmlessly sailed over the crossbar.

The second-half started brightly with several good chances at both ends in the first ten minutes, though the second goal would remain elusive for both sides. While Iran looked to be stronger team in the first half, Argentina began to assert themselves better after the restart and seemed to be the likelier to break the deadlock. Substitute Crisitan Pavon nearly made an immediate impact upon entering the match when his header clipped the crossbar in the 78th minute, but a second Argentina goal wasn’t meant to be.

Three minutes later Lucio Compagnucci saw red as a result of his second caution for a rough challenge, but Argentina continued to attack despite their numerical disadvantage.

Iran began to use their extra man to cause problems for the Argentinian rearguard during stoppage time, but it was too little too late as the Group E competitors were forced to settle for a draw. Both sides will be in search of three points on Tuesday when Argentina face Austria and Iran take on Canada.

 

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FIFA U-17 WORLD CUP

IRAN vs. ARGENTINA

1 -1

Golas:  Mostafa HASHEMI   (1′) , Sebastian DRIUSSI (14′)

Referee: Pavel KRALOVEC (CZE)

Dubai , Rashid Stadium

Attn: 18,000

1  Mahdi AMINI (GK)   2  Mostafa HASHEMI    4  Komeil HAGHZADEH   5  Majid HOSSEINI (C) 6  Saeid EZATOLAHI    8  Mohammad BAZAJ (3 Sasan JAFARI 67′)  9  Amir MAZLOUM     10 Amirhossein KARIMI  11 Reza JAFARI  (19  Yousef SEYYEDI 83′)  17 Ali HAZAMI (14  Ali GHOLIZADEH 59′ )  18 Sadegh MOHARRAMI

Coach:  Ali DOUSTIMEHR (IRN)

1  Augusto BATALLA (GK) 2  Emanuel MAMMANA 4  Nicolas TRIPICHIO 5  German FERREYRA 6  Leandro VEGA (C) 9  Sebastian DRIUSSI 11 Marcos ASTINA ( 13 Cristian PAVON 77′ ) 14 Lucio COMPAGNUCCI 15 Rodrigo MOREIRA 18 Luis LESZCZUK (7 Jonathan CANETE 60′ )  20 Matias SANCHEZ ( 17 Joaquin IBANEZ 53′ )

Coach: Humberto GRONDONA (ARG)