BAHRAIN BOW TO LUCKY IRAN

gulf-daily-news - A lucky goal in the final minute of play spelled the difference between Bahrain and Iran last night in their concluding group 'B' match in the Asia qualifiers for the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup, played at Mamzar Beach in Dubai.

Ali Naderi scored from three-quarters length of the pitch to hand Iran a 3-2 victory and earn them the top spot in the group.

His winning shot was low and manageable, but as Bahrain goalkeeper Salah Salman crouched to make the save, the ball hit an elevation in the sand and bounced over the head of the unsuspecting Bahraini into the goal.

The result, like Naderi's strike, was a shocker for Bahrain, who had never lost to an Asian team in international beach soccer prior to yesterday's result.

They must now settle for the runners-up spot in their group, and will tonight play group 'A' winners UAE in their semi-final tie.

"We played very poorly tonight, but we could afford to lose because we are already in the semi-finals and this match will have no bearing in our qualifying for the World Cup," Bahrain head coach Gustavo Zloccowick told the GDN by telephone.

"I think our players knew that, and they took the game a little too lightly. But Iran played well; they had two players who had plenty of chances to score.

"I don't think that last goal should have been allowed though. A play leading up to it was a violation, and the referee admitted to me afterwards that he had missed the call."

The Bahrainis' match with the UAE is scheduled to start at 8pm Bahrain time. The Emiratis clinched top spot in their group after a thrilling 6-3 win over Japan last night. Japan and Iran battle in today's first semi-final match.

"We are now focused on the UAE," Zloccowick added. "Even though we have two matches to qualify for the World Cup, I told my players that tomorrow is our last chance. We must beat the UAE."

Bahrain twice squandered a one-goal advantage in yesterday's loss. Salman put them ahead in the second minute of the second period for the opening goal, but Iran's Abbas Hashimi equalised from close range.

Bahrain then went ahead for a second time with a Rashid Jamal header off a pass from substitute goalkeeper Hussam Al Manaei. Naderi, however, tied the proceedings once more in the opening minutes of the third, scoring off a brilliant scissors kick from the right wing.

Naderi then set up his winning strike in the closing moments, giving his team a famous victory over the defending Asian champions, while avenging a humiliating 2-7 loss at the hands of the Bahrainis in the semi-finals of last year's qualifiers.