Iran have come from behind to defeat United Arab Emirates in front of a raucous Dubai Design District Stadium crowd and reach the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup semifinals.
The hosts took the lead in the second period when Ali Mohammad crossed for an unmarked Abdulla Abbas to head home on Thursday.
Just over three minutes later, though, Iran were level when Mohammad Masoumizadeh scored a header of his own, before goalkeeper Seyed Mehdi Mirjalili netted with a terrific volley.
In the third period, Iran started attacking, but Saeed Piramoon squandered two great chances. Later, luck was on the side of the UAE as Ali Mirshekari’s shot hit the woodwork.
In the last nailbiting minutes of the game, while the UAE tried to get back into the game, they couldn’t find a way through a staunch Iranian rearguard. The Emiratis had not trailed at any point in the tournament before Mirjalili struck.
Team Melli will now face Brazil in the semifinals on Saturday.
