Iran gave their home fans plenty to cheer in Bushehr on Thursday as they lifted the Persian Beach Soccer Cup thanks to a dramatic 4-3 win over Italy.
With four points from their opening two matches, the hosts were in the driving seat for the title going into the final day and begun strongly against the Italians as two Mohammad Ahmadzadeh goals helped amass a 3-0 lead by the end of the first frame.
While Francesco Corosiniti, Paolo Palmacci and Emanuele Zurlo dragged Italy back level in an impressive fightback, the home fans were jubilant when Mohammadali Mokhtari slotted home the winner three minutes from time.
Earlier in the day, Poland and Ukraine – European champions and Euro Beach Soccer League winners respectively – went head to head in another close-fought contest.
Ivan Glutskyi, Oleksii Illichov and Oleg Zborovskyi were on target as Ukraine dominated the first period and much of the second, only for Piotr Klepczarek and an Illichov own-goal to reduce the arrears going into the final few minutes.
But Viktor Panteleichuk stemmed the Polish tide and sealed the win with the fourth and final goal, ultimately ensuring Ukraine second place ahead of Italy and Poland.
Thursday results
Poland 2-4 Ukraine
Iran 4-3 Italy
Individual Awards
MVP: Amirhosein Akbari (Iran)
Top Goalscorer: Gabriele Gori (Italy) (Five goals)
Best Goalkeeper Volodymyr Hladchenko (Ukraine)
http://beachsoccer.com/news/hosts-iran-clinch-persian-beach-soccer-cup