FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup: Iran advances to knockout stage
Iran lost to Ukraine 3-2 in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013 in Papeete, Tahiti but qualified for the knockout stage. The match was a tight and bruising affair throughout with scores tied 1-1 at the first interval with goals from Iran's Mohammad Ahmadzadeh and Ukraine's Andrii Borsuk.
Olexandr Kornichuk put the Europeans in front at the midway point of the middle period with a superb strike.
Iran looked more dangerous in the third period but Ukraine goalkeeper Vitalii Sydorenko remained a challenging obstacle.
Captain Igor Borsuk then put his side ahead with another excellent strike for the Ukrainians.
Captain Igor Borsuk then put his side ahead with another excellent strike for the Ukrainians.
Goalkeeper Peymann Hosseini reduced the deficit late on, leaving Ukraine chasing more goals to have any hope of progressing.
Iran advanced by the slenderest of margins in a three-way head-to-head after they finished on three points with Ukraine and Senegal, according to FIFA.com.
Brazil celebrated in style with an 8-3 win over Senegal.
Iran will face Russia on Thursday at the Tahua To'ata Beach Stadium in the quarterfinals.
