INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN - Iran stayed on course to retain their title after defeating Saudi Arabia 6-0 in their AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup Thailand 2025
ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025.With a place in the final at stake, both teams adopted a cautious approach in the
opening minutes with Saudi Arabia focusing on being organised defensively to close the space down on Iran.There were half-chances with
stopped an effort from Khalid Mudhaya.The deadlock was broken in the seventh minute when Iran substitute keeper Seyemohammad Dastan showed
overhead strike home.Saudi Arabia showed more attacking intent in the second period with an Eslam Hussei effort that bounced just over the
bar while Majed Shamhani forced Mirjalili into a low save to his left, but their inability to put away their chances were punished by Iran
late in the period.Movahed Mohammadpour found Ali Mishekari in the space in the 22nd minute and the Iranian forward accepted the invitation
to power in an overhead strike to score his ninth goal of the campaign.Iran kept up their intensity in the third period as they added
further goals through Mohammad Masoumizadeh (27th), Dastan (31st) and Mirshekari (36th) to seal their passage to the final.Despite the
defeat, Saudi Arabia will keep their eye on the ball for the third place playoff on Sunday which offers a spot in the FIFA Beach Soccer
World Cup to the winners.
