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A decisive victory over Russia saw Brazil claim the first World Beach Games gold
The first World Beach Games medals were awarded after an electric final day of beach soccer in Doha.
Brazil put nine past Russia to cruise to the top of the podium while the bronze play-off went all the way to the penalty spot, where Peyman Hosseini made the crucial save to win the tie.
Gold medal
Russia 3-9 Brazil
Brazil’s first loss in three years came to Russia the last time the sides met, almost a year ago in the Intercontinental Cup in Dubai and no doubt the Brazilians’ last meeting with their old rivals will have been fresh in the minds of Gilberto and his squad ahead of this clash of beach soccer titans.
They seemed untraumatized by the memories though, as it didn’t take long for the men in yellow to assert their dominance on the game, with Catarino nodding in the first and Rodrigo powering in a low shot to make it two.
This is how the sides went into the break, but Brazil continued the offensive into the next period. Mauricinho netted a brilliant hat-trick within the space of two minutes to push the advantage to five.
Russia showed that they weren’t done yet though, as moments later, Paporotnyi pounded in their opener and then Zemskov turned in from close range to make it 2-5.
But they couldn’t turn the tide as the persistent Brazilians came again and again, with Bokinha, Filipe and Lucao adding their names to the scoresheet in real style, especially Lucao’s second, a perfectly placed volley from his own penalty area.
A final minute Makarov penalty made little difference to the final score, which finished at a very decisive 3-9 to the imperious Canarinha, who claimed the first ever World Beach Games gold medal, as a well-beaten Russia take silver.
Goals: 0-1: Catarino, min. 4 (1); 0-2: Rodrigo, min. 4 (1); 0-3: Mauricinho, min. 6 (2); 0-4: Mauricinho, min. 6 (2); 0-5: Mauricinho, min. 5 (2); 1-5: Paporotnyi, min. 5 (2); 2-5: Zemskov, min. 4 (2); 2-6: Bokinha, min. 0 (2); 2-7: Filipe, min. 4 (3); 2-8: Lucao, min. 0 (3); 2-9: Lucao, min. 0 (3); 3-9: Makarov, min. 0 (3);
Bronze Medal
Iran 5(3)-(1)5 Italy
These sides may have suffered defeat at the hands of Russia and Brazil in the semi-finals, but a bronze medal was a worthy prize for the ferocious battle which ensued.
Masoumi hit the first goal, a sweet volley from the right wing which bounced in off the upright. Italy pressed but they fell two behind to another goal, this time from Mokhtari.
Gabriele Gori was denied his 12th goal of the tournament when a freekick in a dangerous position was palmed to safety, and still the breakthrough eluded Del Duca’s men.
But the tournament’s top scorer couldn’t be kept out for much longer, as Gori pounced on a rebound to side foot into an open net, and a minute later Percia Montani scored a sublime volley to level up.
The battle for bronze was heating up and as soon as the final period began the momentum stayed with Italy. Gori hit an incredible volleyed bicycle kick and seconds later Ramacciotti powered in a long-distance set piece to make it four!
Ahmadzadeh bundled the ball over the line to pull Iran back to 3-4, but when Frainetti was brought down in the area, he converted the penalty confidently. The play became more and more frantic as the possibility of a medal slipped away from Iran.
But there was another twist, when Kiani hit two late goals to force extra time. In the end it was penalties that decided the victor and after Iran tucked away all three of their penalties to Italy’s one, they claimed third in the first ever edition of the World Beach Games the joy of the gathered fans.
Goals: 1-0: Masoumi, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Mokhtari, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Gori, min. 4 (2); 2-2: Percia Montani, min. 3 (2); 2-3: Gori, min. 11 (3); 2-4: Ramacciotti, min. 11 (3); 3-4: Ahmadzadeh, min. 9 (3); 3-5: Frainetti, min. 7 (3); 4-5: Kiani, min. 2 (3); 5-5: Kiani, min. 1 (3);
PSO: 1-0: Ahmadzadeh, scored; 1-0: Chiavaro, saved; 2-0: Akbari, scored; 2-1: Gori, scored; 3-1: Kiani, scored;
Stay up-to-date on the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
