Dubai: Brazil added a third title for the 2016 season while helping themselves to a second crown in Dubai with a comfortable 6-2 win over Iran in the final of the Sixth Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup that concluded at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) late on Saturday.

Played before a jam-packed weekend crowd, the South Americans did not disappoint as they continued their winning streak that fetched them the Copa das Nacoes crown in Santos last week. Earlier this season, Brazil had helped themselves to a record 13th crown while winning the BSWW Mundialito in Cascais defeating hosts Portugal in the final.

Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President, DIMC presented the top three teams with trophies along with Saeed Hareb, General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) after the final.

On Saturday night, the Brazilians looked superior and composed throughout the 36 minutes of play. Iran took the lead early when Moslem Mesigar scored his seventh goal of this tournament, but the 2014 Dubai champions drew level through Diogo Catarino Da Silva and then skipper Bruno Da Silva Xavier’s penalty conversion gave them a 2-1 cushion going into the second period.

The Brazilians turned up the pressure and struck thrice in quick succession with Mauricio Pereira Braz, Rafael Antonio De Jesus Pinto and Daniel Nogueira Lima getting their names on the scoresheet to power ahead 5-1. Captain Mohammad Ahmadzadeh kept the Asians in the match while pulling one back before the end of second period.

However, Da Silva signed off with a second goal to conclude a comprehensive win and a second title for the South Americans.

Earlier in the evening, former three-time defending champions Russia settled for third place with a well-contested 4-3 win against 2015 Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup runners-up Tahiti.

Down to an early Naea Bennett goal, Russia fought their way back with quick goals from Boris Nikonorov and skipper Ilia Leonov giving them a handy 2-1 cushion by the end of the opening period. After playing out a tight, goalless second period, the defending champions added another two goals from Yury Krasheninnikov and Artur Paporotnyi distancing themselves 4-1.

But the South Pacific islanders fought right back with goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia’s kick finding the net and Heiarii Tavanae made it 4-3 with less than three minutes remaining. Ultimately, Tahiti ran out of time as Russia escaped with a win and the third place salvaging some lost pride.

World Cup winners on a couple of occasions in 2011 and 2013, Russia have an admirable record in this inter-continental competition. The Europeans have been the only team to feature in all finals – winning the title thrice (2011, 2012 and 2015) while ending runners-up on a couple of occasions to Brazil (2014) and Iran (2013).


RESULTS

Final: Brazil def. Iran 6-2
Third place: Russia def. Tahiti 4-3
Fifth place: Poland def. Egypt 5-3 (3-3 at full-time; 2-0 in penalty shoot-out)
Seventh place: UAE def. USA 4-3
Standings: 1. Brazil; 2. Iran; 3. Russia; 4. Tahiti; 5. Poland; 6. Egypt; 7. UAE; 8. USA.