UAE gets second win by shocking Russia

UAE won a classic clash of style to shock Russia on day three of the Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup Dubai 2015 at Dubai International Marine Club on Thursday.

The 5-4 win for the UAE came down to the last minute.

The Russians as one might expect, took the lead but the UAE refused to break and they bounced back with a vengeance, taking the lead and holding onto that advantage for the remainder of the match.

The win gives the UAE four points, as their first win was against Argentina but in penalties, so the reward was only one point.

The Russians finished first in the group after defeating Argentina and the runner-up in the group, Egypt.

Russia will be playing in the semi-finals while the UAE will take part in the consolation semis, on Friday.

Iran advanced to the semifinals with a big 5-2 win over Mexico thanks to a brilliant hat-trick from M. Ahmadzadeh.

The win gives Iran second place in the group and they will be heading to the semi-finals to play Russia in the last game of the day on Friday.

Iran took a 2-0 lead into the first break.

The Mexicans hit home a beautiful header in the first minute of the second period, to cut the Iranian lead in half at 2-1 and confused the Iran defence when they scored the equaliser.

But then it was Mexico's turn to get disoriented on defence when Iran scored their third goal on a great bicycle against the run of play to put the score at 3-2 for the Lions of the Atlas going into the final break.
 
Iran began the final period by trying desperately to get at least one insurance goal but it did not come in the early going as Mexico was employing their signature tight defence.

Iran was knocking on the door but with six minutes gone from the period, there were no goals to show for the effort.

However, past the midway point in the frame, M. Ahmadzadeh scored his second goal to give Iran a seemingly safe cushion of two goals at 4-2.

Russia has looked great since their semi-final loss in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup semi-final as they torched Italy for third place and they have been in complete control here in Dubai through the Group Stage before coming up against the  hosts.

The Russian had more time of possession and more shots on goal, but without a goal in the first period until  on a bicycle from Shaikov.

The Emiratis bounced back to score three straight to take a 3-2 lead in the heart of the match.

With the crowd ignited it was Russia's turn to go to work again and they did, silencing the UAE fans with their third goal but the impasse did not last long as the high-octane Emirati offense scored again to take a 4-3 lead, which would hold going into the final period.
 
The UAE scored their fifth goal with Beshir  completing a hat-trick to lead 5-3 and hung on grimly to notch their second win.
 
Results:
 
Egypt 7-6 Argentina (Group A)
 
Portugal 2-6 Tahiti (Group B)
 
UAE 5-4 Russia (Group A)
 
Mexico 2-5 Iran (Group B)
 
Friday's schedule:
 
4:15pm - Portugal vs Argentina (Consolation Semi-final)
 
5:30pm – UAE vs Mexico (Consolation Semi-final)
 
6:45pm - Tahiti vs Egypt (Semi-final)
 
8:00pm - Russia vs Iran (Semi-final)

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