Iran Edges UAE in 2025 AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran clinched pole position in Group C of the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025 with a 4-3 victory over the United Arab Emirates at the Jomtien Beach Arena on Tuesday.
With a third straight win, the defending champion Iran, seeking a fourth title, will meet Bahrain in the quarter-finals, while Oman will play the UAE.
Iran took the lead in the third minute, with goalkeeper Seyedmahdi Mirjalili finding Reza Amiri Zadeh, who finished with an impressive bicycle kick.
UAE’s Ali Mohammad levelled the score in the fifth minute.
Masoumi restored Iran’s lead when he converted a free-kick from the center.
Four minutes before the second period ended, UAE's Abdulla Abbas Alblooshi levelled the score.
The reigning champion took the lead halfway through the third period, with Ali Mirshekari's free-kick from the opposite side of the pitch finding the bottom right corner of the net with precision.
A free-kick in the penultimate minute saw Movahed Mohammadpout score the fourth goal for Iran, but UAE's Waleed pulled one back in the final seconds to reduce the deficit.
