Peyman Hosseini from Iran won the awards for beach soccer Best Goalkeeper and Best Goal of the year, at the Beach Soccer Stars Ceremony held November 4 in Dubai.
Hosseini showed his worth in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2017 in the Bahamas in May and helped Iran win third place. His goal against Mexico in the same tournament was also chosen as the Best Goal of the year, Tasnim News Agency reported.
Iran’s captain Mohammad Ahmadzadeh was selected among the best five players of the year along with Mao, Bruno Xavier and Mauricinho (Brazil) and Noel Ott (Switzerland).
Mohammad Hossein Mirshamsi, the former coach of the Iranian team, was among the three coaches nominated for the best coach title. However, the award went to Gilberto Costa, the coach of Brazil’s national team.
The Dubai event was held following the culmination of the Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup in the same city where Iran finished third after defeating Russia 4-2 in the bronze medal match on Nov. 4.
It was a revenge match for Iranian players as they had lost to Russia in a close encounter 3-4, in group stage, and had to confront Brazil in the semifinals where the Asian side was defeated 4-6.
After downing Iran, Brazil beat Portugal 2-0 in the final game to win the title for the third time (second year in a row).
After the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Intercontinental Cup is the biggest tournament in the international beach soccer calendar. It has been held annually since 2011.
Iran was not among the top four teams in the first two editions, but in 2013 the national team won the title after beating Russia 4-3. In 2014, Iran finished fourth following a 0-3 defeat against Portugal; in 2015, came third after a win over Egypt; and last year was the runner-up, losing the final game to Brazil 2-6.
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