Iran wins men's soccer title at Asian Beach Games

SANYA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- World No. 5 Iran claimed their third men's beach soccer title at the sixth Asian Beach Games, defeating Oman 6-2 on Wednesday.

It took Iran just 49 seconds to take a 1-0 lead, with goalkeeper Seyedmohammad Dastan breaking the deadlock with a spectacular long-range volley. In the final minute of the first period, Davoud Shokri and Movahed Mohammadpour each added a goal, giving Iran a commanding 3-0 advantage at the first break.

Salim Sauti Abdullah pulled one back for Oman in the opening minute of the second period, but Mohammadpour scored Iran's fourth just two minutes later. Both sides created and squandered several chances, with Oman trailing 4-1 heading into the final period.

Iran remained in control as Shokri and Ali Mirshekari added two more goals midway through the final period, before Oman's Sami Bulushi scored a consolation goal.

Mahdi Alinejad, secretary general of the Iranian National Olympic Committee, spoke proudly of the country's strong beach soccer team.

"They are very good and have participated in the World Cup many times. In Asia, they are number one, and in the world, they are in the top five," Alinejad said.

"We played a good final; we are powerful in this event. We have experienced players, and that's why we could win the title," said Iran captain Hassanab Mokhtari.

In the third-place playoff, Saudi Arabia defeated Palestine 6-4 after extra time. Enditem