Iran claim fourth Intercontinental title of Beach Soccer

Iran are the 2022 Emirates Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup champions!

In the tightest of finals, the Iranians hung on to a 2-1 lead right until the end against Brazil, who also had three titles ahead of this edition, to lift their fourth, equaling Russia’s record.

Amir Akbari was named as the MVP, while fellow Iranian Hamid went home with the Best Goalkeeper award. After netting a double on the final day, Carlos Carballo, the Paraguay skipper, won the Top Scorer award.

Iran hangs on for the fourth Intercontinental trophy!

Two previous champions, each with three titles, clashed on the sands of Dubai for the crown at the 11th edition of the Emirates Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup.

Neither had lost so far, but in beach soccer there are no draws, and an unbeaten streak had to come to an end.

After a tense opening ten minutes, Iranian beach soccer legend Ahmadzadeh finally broke the deadlock and the mainly Iranian stadium, including those outside who couldn’t get a seat inside, exploded.

A spectacular strike from Saeed had the crowd on their feet once more in the second period, and Brazil, as they had in the semi-finals, looked to be running out of ideas, taking pot shots in an attempt to get back into the game.

Catarino slotted home a penalty to make it 2-1.

A stubborn Iran then hung on for dear life as the men in yellow shirts threw everything they had at them, but they cleverly held the Brazilian firepower at bay to clinch the win, and a record-equalling fourth Intercontinental Cup!