Iran and Brazil prevail in friendly games

Asian kings and Tetracampeão edge Italy and Paraguay in double-leg training games, seeking tune up for the World Cup

The preparations for the World Cup are advancing full speed ahead, both in Papeete, where the stadium is getting ready for the seventh edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but also outside, with the teams training hard and taking part in demanding friendly games to get to the French Polynesia in the best shape.

Three of the participants in the World Cup, Brazil, Paraguay and Iran, have been playing some matches these last days, with the two CONMEBOL contenders squaring off twice in Rio de Janeiro, and the latter taking on Italy in a double leg fixture held in Teheran.

The defending Asian champions proved they are ready to tackle big challenges in Papeete by edging the Translapine in both occasions, 5-3 on the 27th, and 7-3 on the 28th. Mohammed Ahmadzadeh and Farid Boulokbashi prevailed as the sharpest weapons of the Team Melli.

In Rio de Janeiro, during the weekend, Paraguay and Brazil clashed in two friendly games, with the latter bagging the victory on both occasions. After the uncontestable 7-1 of the game on Saturday, August 31st, Paraguay managed to make things a bit more uncomfortable for the Verdeamarela (7-3), although they were always far from winning the game. The final outcome of the game was fairly different than the semifinals of the last FIFA Beach Soccer world Cup CONMEBOL Qualifier, held in Merlo (Argentina), where the Guarani edged the Brazilians to access the final of the tournament, thus pushing Negão’s side to an all-or-nothing 3rd place playoff.