Tuesday 02 May 2017, 01:20

Iran win penalty shoot-out to make last eight

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  • Iran finish second in Group B, Nigeria are eliminated

  • Mohammad Ahmadzadeh and Mohammad Mokhtari each score twice for the Asian champions

  • Iran will face Group A winners Switzerland in the quarter-finals on 4 May

Iran defeated Nigeria 2-1 on penalties after a thrilling 4-4 draw after extra time to claim the runners-up spot in Group B and reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017.

In what was an intriguing back-and-forth battle between two sides looking to make the last eight, Mohammad Ahmadzadeh and Mohammad Mokhtari each scored a pair of goals for the Asian champions.

To their credit, Nigeria gave an excellent account of themselves, with Victor Tale, Emmanuel Ohwoferia, Godspower Igudia, and Bartholomew Ibenegbu getting on the scoresheet.

After regulation and extra time could not settle matters, it was Iran that held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out to finish second in the group and set up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland on 4 May.

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