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Tahiti, Brazil, Iran and Russia pick up wins ahead of their final pool games in Dubai.
Both Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup groups will witness top-of-the-table clashes on Thursday after Tahiti, Brazil, Iran and Russia maintained their 100 per cent starts to the competition.
The top two in each group will advance to the semi-finals, with Thursday’s final round of group games to decide the make-up of those matches.
Defending champions Russia turned in another dominant display in the final match of the day as they eventually broke down a stubborn USA side to win 9-3.
Hat-tricks from Makarov and Paporotnyi did the damage against a US side who had initially held firm to head into the first period level at 2-2.
The two-time world champions will take on Iran next, who were largely untroubled during their 4-1 win against Egypt.
A brace each from Ahmadzadeh and Mesigar gave Iran a cushion against the North African side, with Mohamed’s consolation unable to spark a comeback.
Former Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup champions Brazil were also made to work hard for their second win of the tournament as they edged a battling Poland 5-2.
Poland – the sport’s surprise package after winning the recent European FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifier – were leading the 13-time world champions 2-1 late in the second period before Brazil showed their quality.
A double from Rodrigo helped finish off a Poland side lacking inspirational figure Saganowski, while elsehere in Group A Tahiti made it two wins from two with an assured 7-3 win against hosts UAE.
Angelo Schirinzi’s Tiki-Toa narrowly edged Poland 5-4 on the opening day but enjoyed an easier time of things against UAE, as Tepa’s hat-trick helped keep the home side at bay.
Wednesday results
UAE 3-7 Tahiti
Brazil 5-2 Poland
Egypt 1-4 Iran
Russia 9-3 USA
Thursday fixtures
USA v Egypt
Poland v UAE
Tahiti v Brazil
Iran v Russia
