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The ninth edition was clinched in Dubai as Iran defeated Spain with six goals to retain the title
The 2018 Intercontinental kings reign once more in Dubai as they downed the Spanish by six goals to three in Saturday’s final.
Abbas Hashempour’s men fought hard to build a lead and once they had a grip of the game, Spain struggled to get back into the match.
In the play-offs, the only two sides to compete in every edition of the Intercontinental Cup, hosts UAE and former champions Russia, went to extra time where the local side dramatically secured third, while Japan put seven past Egypt to cruise into fifth.
Italy confirmed Mexico’s winless run through the tournament with a late Zurlo penalty, and finish in seventh.
A storming performance in the third-place play-off cemented Waleed Beshr (UAE) as the MVP and, despite being injured for two games, Iran’s Akbari scored a total of six goals to claim the Top Scorer award. The Best Goalkeeper went to the hosts’ shot-stopper, Mohamad Al Jasmi.
Spain 3-6 Iran (FINAL)
After finishing in a disappointing sixth last year, Spain had pushed their way past the competition to make it all the way to the final, where they met Intercontinental veterans, Iran.
With a win, this would be the third time the Iranians lifted the trophy, matching the records of both Russia and Brazil, and they started on the front foot when Kiani drove in the first. Two minutes later the defending champions were two ahead thanks to a goal of the tournament contender from Piramoun.
But with just a minute of the first period left two quick strikes from the Catalan double, Llorenç and Eduard Suarez, brought La Roja back to 2-2.
Adri Frutos then pushed Joaquin Alonso’s men ahead for the first time in the match, until Mokhtari converted to level up, before goalkeeper Hamid drove a blistering strike past his opposite number.
When they went 3-6 down, Spain changed tactic as Adri Frutos came on as to play in goal, adding to the attacking prowess but opening up the Spanish back line. Iran didn’t manage to score again but in the end saw out a comfortable victory to retain an historic title, match the Russian and Brazilian records of three Intercontinental Cups!
Goals: 0-1: Kiani, min. 8 (1); 0-2: Piramoun, min. 6 (1); 1-2: Llorenç, min. 1 (1); 2-2: Eduard, min. 1 (1); 3-2: Adri Frutos, min. 9 (2); 3-3: Mokhtari, min. 5 (2); 3-4: Hamid, min. 2 (2); 3-5: Ahmadzadeh, min. 6 (3); 3-6: Masoumi, min. 3 (3);
Russia 1-2 UAE (3rd-place play-off) *AET
These two sides were seeking very different goals in the play-off for third. It would be UAE’s joint-best ever finish, but if Russia lost, it would be there joint worst, only having finished in fourth once out of the eight previous editions they’ve competed in.
The first goal came quickly and it went to the Emirati as Waleed Beshr capitalized on a moment defensive confusion to power the ball into a wide-open net.
This was how the score stood at the first break and as much as Russia ramped up the pressure on their hosts. The second period ticked away and still a leveler didn’t come and UAE also threatened to double their lead at any minute.
In the third period the Russians became frantic and although they created chance after chance their shots didn’t trouble keeper Saeed, flying disappointingly high and wide. But the crucial shot came in the end and it was Boris Nikonorov who netted with literally one second on the clock!
The disheartened UAE looked mortified to be playing extra time but heads didn’t drop and that man again, Waleed Beshr, brought the house down with a superb freekick from distance to snatch the win in the last minute!
UAE match their best ever finish, which came way back in 2013, as the Russians take up fourth.
Goals: 0-1: Waleed B., min. 8 (1); 1-1: Nikonorov, min. 0 (3); 1-2: Waleed B., min. 1 (ET);
Japan 7-2 Egypt (5th-place play-off)
In their two previous appearances in the Intercontinental Cup, Japan had only managed seventh place, and although they were already guaranteed a better position, they didn’t hold back in taking fifth.
Who else but Ozu to blast in the first after four minutes, then Yamauchi and Okuyama pushed the lead to three going into the second period. A Costa own goal made it four soon after the restart and even when Shika hit Egypt’s first, Matsuda was on hand to send a low shot zipping into the net for five.
Shika slid a second into an unguarded net for the Pharaohs but Oba pounded in his fifth of the tournament, equaling Gori and Akbari’s total at the top, and Matsuo put away a seventh for Ruy Ramos’ men to clinch a more-than convincing fifth place.
Goals: 1-0: Ozu, min. 8 (1); 2-0: Yamauchi, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Okuyama, min. 0 (1); 4-0: Costa (OG), min. 8 (2); 4-1: Shika, min. 2 (2); 5-1: Matsuda, min. 2 (2); 5-2: Shika, min. 3 (3); 6-2: Oba, min. 2 (3); 7-2: Matsuo, min. 0 (3);
Mexico 2-3 Italy (7th-place play-off)
Neither side had enjoyed great form in their 2019 campaigns in the Intercontinental Cup, but they weren’t about the turn down the chance of a final-day win.
Giordani muscled into the box to put away an opener for Italy, which saw them lead at the break, and then Zurlo doubled that advantage in the second period.
The Mexicans woke up a little as Rodriguez and Macias pulled it back to 2-2 but a late Zurlo penalty wrapped up the win for Italy as they take seventh place.
Goals: 0-1: Giordani, min. 3 (1); 0-2: Zurlo, min. 6 (2); 1-2: Rodriguez, min. 4 (2); 2-2: Macias, min. 3 (2); 2-3: Zurlo, min. 1 (3);
Final Standings:
Champions: Iran
Runners-up: Spain
3rd: UAE
4th: Russia
5th: Japan
6th: Egypt
7th: Italy
8th: Mexico
Individual Awards:
MVP: Waleed Beshr (UAE)
Top Scorer: Amirhosein Akbari (Iran) – 6
Best Goalkeeper: Mohamad Al Jasmi (UAE)
For more information, including fixtures, results and standings, go to the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
