FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup:
Iran crashes out after last-eight heartbreak
Iran was knocked out of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after a last-eight 4-3 defeat against Belarus in Victoria, Seychelles, on Thursday.
Having finished third in its last two appearances in the competition, the Asian champion took the lead through Mohammad Ma’soumi less than a minute before the first interval but Belarusian talisman Ihar Bryshtsel leveled the scoreline with a penalty midway through the second period at the Paradise Arena.
Bryshtsel and Yahor Hardzetski scored two quick-fire goals in the early stages of the third period before Anatoliy Ryabko headed home to give Belarus a commanding lead with seven minutes remaining.
Ma’soumi pulled one back for Iran and Movahed Mohammadpour cut the deficit to one with 37 seconds left on the clock but the late fightback proved too little, too late as Belarus held on to avenge the 6-1 loss to Iran in the third-place contest in Dubai last year.
Belarus will take on Senegal for a place in the final showpiece today.
Mamour Diagne scored with two seconds left in extra time as Senegal came from behind to stun last year’s finalist Italy 4-3 on later on Thursday.
Six-time champion Brazil, meanwhile, continued its title defense with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Spain.
Rodrigo delivered yet another man-of-the-match performance with a couple of goals in the first period as the Seleção set a last-four date with Portugal.
Having beaten Iran to the top spot in Group B, Portugal had a Jordan hat-trick and a last-gasp Miguel Pintado bicycle kick to thank for beating Japan 7-6 in a thrilling quarterfinal to remain on course for a third World Cup trophy.