{"id":27907,"date":"2017-05-01T18:06:07","date_gmt":"2017-05-02T01:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/?p=27907"},"modified":"2017-05-01T18:06:07","modified_gmt":"2017-05-02T01:06:07","slug":"iran-hold-their-nerve-to-reach-fifa-beach-soccer-world-cup-quarters-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/2017\/05\/01\/iran-hold-their-nerve-to-reach-fifa-beach-soccer-world-cup-quarters-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran hold their nerve to reach FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Quarters [VIDEO]"},"content":{"rendered":"

AFC – NASSAU, The Islamic Republic of Iran held their nerve to beat Nigeria 2-1 on penalties on Monday (local time) and advance to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the two sides level at 4-4 following extra-time, it was the Iranians who remained firm to emerge with the one point for a win via penalties and – in the process – seal a place in the last eight as Group B runners-up.<\/p>\n

Two goals apiece from Mohammad Ahmadzadeh and Mohammad Mokhtari kept Iran in the hunt throughout, but Nigeria refused to buckle, and twice lead their Asian opponents in a topsy-turvy game at the National Beach Soccer Arena in Nassau.<\/p>\n

With Switzerland awaiting the winner, Ali Nazem and Amir Akbari both converted their penalties before Ogodo rattled the bar with his spot kick to send the Iranians through.<\/p>\n

*Iran will face Group A winners Switzerland in the quarter-finals on May 4
\n*The Iranians also reached the quarter-finals in 2013 and 2015
\n*Teams winning games via a penalty shootout only receive one point – not the normal three<\/p>\n

Goal Scorers:<\/strong>
\nNigeria:<\/strong> TALE 14’45” pen, EMMANUEL 18’54”, GODSPOWER, 21’07”, IBENEGBU 32’20”
\nIran:<\/strong> AHMADZADEH 7’53”, 20’05”, MOKHTARI 15’30”, 32’47”<\/p>\n