The Persian Beach Soccer Cup got underway with two thrilling contests and capacity crowds.
Iran and Italy picked up narrow wins on the opening day of the Persian Beach Soccer Cup in Bushehr on Tuesday.
The round-robin event got underway in front of a packed stadium, with Italy and Ukraine kicking things off – the Azzurri running out 7-6 winners against the reigning Euro Beach Soccer League champions.
In a close-fought contest, Oleg Zborovskyi and Gabriele Gori proved the main protagonists, as the forwards registered a hat-trick apiece.
Fortunately for Massimo Agostini and co, Emmanuele Zurlo also weighed in with a brace along with further efforts from captain Francesco Corosiniti and Paolo Palmacci to tie up the points.
All attention then turned to the home nation, as they faced European FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification winners Poland, backed by a vibrant and supportive home crowd.
Karim Madani scored almost immediately from the kick-off for Poland while Witold Ziober did the same in the third period but a brace from Amirhosein Akbari and a strike from Mohammadali Mokhtari made the difference for Iran.
Wednesday sees Italy take on Poland while Iran face Ukraine.
Tuesday results
Italy 7-6 Ukraine
Poland 2-3 Iran
Wednesday results
Italy v Poland (17.45)
Iran v Ukraine (19.00)
