Iran Says Goodbye to AFC Beach Soccer C’ship after Losing to Japan

Team Melli lost to the Asian powerhouse 3-2 and failed to secure a place in the event’s semi-final.

Mahdi Shirmohammadi blasted in the opening goal from a free-kick after being fouled by Naoya Matsuo in the ninth minute.

Iran extended its lead in the very next minute, with a wild bounce off the sand rendering goalkeeper Shingo Terukina helpless, and allowing Mohammad Moradi to make it 2-0, with only the upright stopping Moradi from adding a third goal before the first break.

Shusei Yamauchi popped up to force home his seventh goal of the tournament, and have the East Asians back to a one-goal deficit in the 21st minute.

Japan had one period to keep its World Cup qualification streak alive, and it took just two final period minutes to draw level, this time through Akaguma, who found space at the back post to score with a header despite a solid touch from Behzadpour.

Iran head coach Marco Octavio introduced shot-stopper Peyman Hosseini into the action for the first time, and he made a superb save to deny Ozu Moreira's free-kick just after Mirshekari thundered a sensational bicycle kick into the crossbar with just six minutes to go.

It was frenetic, dramatic and superbly entertaining action, as both sides fought to stay in the competition, with Japan producing the vast majority of late attacks as the match went into extra-time.

The late Japanese dominance continued into extra time, and it paid dividends when Akaguma steered home a free-kick in the 38th minute to give his team the lead for the first time in the match, sealing a priceless and unforgettable win for the East Asians.