Iran beat Paraguay 5-2 in their first match of the 7th Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in Dubai on Tuesday.
Captain Mohammad Ahmadzadeh put the Iranians in the clear at the end of the first period, but Paraguay came right back with two quick strikes from Luis Alberto Ojeda and Carlos Alfredo Carballo Ruiz to make it 2-1 in favor of the South Americans, Tasnim News Agency reported.
Amir Hossein Akbari put the teams on level terms and then Iran took the lead once again when Seyed Ali Nazem scored. Moslem Mesigar got his name on the scoresheet with three minutes remaining and skipper Ahmadzadeh put things out of reach within a minute to wrest full points.
Earlier, Russia defeated Mexico 6-2, defending Champion Brazil overpowered Egypt 11-3 and Portugal beat the UAE 6-4.
Iran is drawn along with Russia, Mexico and Paraguay in Group B.
Group A consists of Brazil, the UAE, Portugal and Egypt.
Under the tutelage of Brazilian coach Marco Octavio, Iran won its first ever title at the Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in 2013 and now is ready to repeat the honor.
After the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup is the biggest tournament on the current international beach soccer calendar.
Similar to the FIFA Confederations Cup, eight nations take part in the event, with one team representing each of the six continental football confederations (except for the OFC) as well as the current World Cup champion, Brazil, and the host UAE.
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