Iran edge instant classic as Italy, Tahiti and UAE triumph

SOURCE & PHOTOS: fifa.com

There was a haka, the proudest rendition of a national anthem, a bicycle-kick blitz, other wonder goals aplenty and one of the most thrilling matches in group-stage history. Matchday 1 of the 12th FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup lived up to its hype and then some.

USA 1-3 Italy

Tahiti 4-3 Argentina

United Arab Emirates 2-1 Egypt

Spain 6-6 IR Iran (1-3 PSO)

USA goals: Rezende Italy goals: Josep Jr, Zurlo, Giordani Player of the Match: Josep Jr The Nazionale have reached the semi-finals in three of their last four participations, and their opening exhibition, in which Josep Jr and Marco Giordani dazzled, showed why they’re title contenders in Dubai. USA played some intricate beach soccer, but couldn’t convert their chances against the newly-crowned Best Men’s Goalkeeper, Leandro Casapieri.

“We played well, had a lot of the play, but we couldn’t take our chances. We were up against a top goalkeeper. Now we have to regroup and go out and get the win against the UAE. We’re really confident. Nicolas Perea, USA player

“Marco scored a beautiful goal in an important moment of the match. We are very happy with this first victory. I’m sorry for the red card, I left my team-mates in trouble, but we still held on for an important victory.” Alessandro Remedi, Italy player

Stat

Fifteen years had passed since Fabio Sciacca last experienced victory in a FIFA competition – and it wasn’t on sand. The Catanese helped Italy beat a Spain side including Cesar Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009™.

Tahiti goals: Salem (2), Li Fung Kuee, Tinirauarii Argentina goals: Ponzetti (2), Pomar Player of the Match: Jonathan Torohia

What a thriller. Argentina led. Tahiti led comfortably. They ultimately had to survive a late onslaught to crawl over the line. In between there was a splendid Lucas Ponzetti goal, three glorious bicycle kicks and an exceptional performance from a goalkeeper with rapid reflexes and palatial ball skills, Jonathan Torohia.

“Beach soccer is crazy. It’s so fun to watch. You see bicycle kicks, other spectacular goals. You always see teams coming from behind and winning. Argentina almost did that to us at the end. I think it was a great spectacle for the spectators. Thankfully we won.” Heimanu Taiarui, Tahiti player

“We gave it huge effort. I think they knew how to play their game well, which is the two-two. It’s hard for us because we always have to double our intensity, our effort, playing against a team that has a goalkeeper who plays very well with his feet. We played a very good game and we finished the game positively.” Lucas Ponzetti, Argentina player

Three of Tahiti’s goals came via bicycle kicks. Heirauarii Salem got two of them, with Roonui Tinirauarii registering the other.

United Arab Emirates goals: Ali Mohammed, Waleed Beshr Egypt goal: Hossam Paulo Player of the Match: The atmosphere was electric at kick-off, jittery for the last four minutes, and electric again at full-time. The UAE had dominated two periods and some and managed to hold off the Pharaohs’ fierce late charge.

“It was a tough game, as we expected. We faced a very tough team. The opening game is never easy. I want to thank the fans for their huge support today. This win is for them. We couldn’t have done it without them.” Walid Mohammad, UAE captain

“This is our first participation in the World Cup. We wanted to win the game, but our best is yet to come. Our play improved in the third period. We didn’t come here just to participate. We want to achieve more.” Paulo Hossam, Egypt player

United Arab Emirates tied their record for conceding the fewest goals in a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup game. They had previously leaked one against Solomon Islands in 2009 and Russia in 2019. The UAE were just four minutes and three seconds away from becoming the first Asian side in history to keep a clean sheet in the competition.

Spain goals: David (2), Chiky (2), Kuman, Jose Arias IR Iran goals: Mokhtari (3), Mesigar, Amiri Player of the Match: Mohammadali Mokhtari (IRN) La Roja and Team Melli put on one of the most gripping group-stage games in recent history. The woodwork was rocked on multiple occasions, but nets still rippled 12 times. Spain led 3-0 and 5-2, but IR Iran, thanks to four Mohammadali Mokhtari goals and an emphatic penalty shootout display, emerged victorious.

“We played a very good game. In phases of the match we should have had a little more control to take the three points. They turned the result around. We will have to see what we did wrong to take the three points.” Chiky, Spain player

“We followed exactly what our coach told us. He kept telling us we could win the game. Iran will never give up. When you wear this shirt, you never give me.” Moslem Mesigar, Iran player

Spain’s Dona and Moslem Mesigar of IR Iran set a new record for playing in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups the longest time apart: 17 years. Portugal legend Belchior had held the record at 16 years.

Friday 16 February

Colombia v Japan
Portugal v Mexico
Senegal v Belarus
Brazil v Oman

SOURCE & PHOTOS: fifa.com