FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: Iran Fails to Reach Final
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran lost to Tahiti on penalty shootout and failed to book a place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 final match.
The match got off to a very tentative start with both teams weighing each other's tactics out.
Peyman Hosseini saved Li Raimana Li Fung Kuee's penalty in the first minute. Tearii Labaste hit the crossbar with a free-kick from distance, but other than that, not many chances were created.
The goal finally came midway through the second period when Ali Nazem jabbed home a shot from close range after a failed clearance by Heiarii Tavanae.
The Persians could have scored more goals but strikers wasted their chances.
Tahiti eventually showed its experience and patience when Patrick Tepa scored with four and a half minutes left in the match. Captain Naea Bennett found Tepa with a calm cross out of the air and the midfielder timed his run and put the chance away with confidence to send the match to extra time.
Neither side could find the decisive winner in extra time, so the match went to penalties.
It took 12 attempts to decide the winner in the shoot-out, but eventually Tahiti defeated Iran 3-2 on penalties.
Tahitians advanced to their second consecutive final.
