MUSCAT: The Oman national beach soccer team suffered a defeat against Iran with a score of 6-3 during the semifinal of the 2023 AFC Beach Soccer Cup held at Jomtien Arena in Pattaya, Thailand on Saturday.
The second semifinal on Saturday saw Japan defeat the UAE 5-1 at the same venue.
The match started quickly between the two teams, as the Iranian team advanced first from a penalty kick that was successfully executed by Muhammad Mokhtari in the fourth minute. The Omani team responded directly to it with the equalising goal of Sami Al Balushi, taking advantage of a cross ball and putting it into the goal in the fourth minute.
The Iranian national team advanced again with a header by Mohammad Moradi in the seventh minute but Khalid al Araimi spoiled the Iranians’ joy with the equalising goal from a direct free kick that settled in the left corner of the net in the 11th minute.
In the second half, the competition appeared intense between the two teams, with Mohammad Mokhtari taking advantage of the Omani defensive error to push the ball away and head it over the goalkeeper in the 18th minute and from a scissor kick, the fourth goal came from Abbas Rezaei in the 20th minute. Ali Mirshikari scored the fifth goal from a close shot that settled in the right corner of the net in the 21st minute. Iran then conceded a self goal from Muslim Mesigar as Oman reduced deficit by 5-3 in the 22nd minute. However, Iran completed the proceedings with a sixth goal from a long shot by Amir Akbari in the 32nd minute.
In the press conference after the match, Oman head coach Talib Hilal congratulated the Iranian team for reaching the final and said the match was difficult." Our players played well and scored. We missed many chances at the same time."
He added that the players lost their focus at times, despite having chances that they did not score.
Speaking of the third-place match, Hilal said the team is still in the championship and will fight as they did today to secure third place.
The Omani team now faces the UAE team in the third-place match.
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