Russia and Brazil win semi-final match-ups to guarantee silver or gold
After victories in the final four ties, Brazil and Russia will contest the gold medal at the first ever World Beach Games.
The last time Russia faced Brazil was in the 2018 Intercontinental Cup, and the result was the first loss for Gilberto’s men in three years.
Wednesday sees the sides clash once more; can Russia upset the world champions for a second consecutive meeting?
In tomorrow’s other match, Italy will face Iran at the last chance at a medal in Qatar.
Semi-final
Russia 6-2 Iran
These sides had met in the final of the 2018 Intercontinental Cup and Iran had walked away victorious, but Russia clearly came to Qatar for medals.
An early Makarov freekick got the winners of the European qualifiers to the World Beach Games off to a flying start, and Zemskov stretched to beat a defender to a high ball, putting yet more wind in their sails.
Before the first whistle, Shishin hit a bicycle to make it three, but Iran came back onto the sand in inspired form, as two sublime bicycle kicks from Masoumi and Mokhtari saw them reduce the deficit to just one.
The Iranians tasted blood and pressured the Russian defense for that all-important equalizer but time was running out and the majority of their shots went frustratingly wide.
Zemskov turned into an open net from a low cross to calm Russian nerves a little, and when Novikov pounded in number five, it was a case of controlling the pace of the game for Likhachev’s men.
Nikonorov’s cheeky finish through the keeper’s legs pushed the lead to four against the dejected Iranians, and as the game was over a matter of seconds later.
Russia guarantee a silver or gold medal, while Iran will play in Wednesday’s play-off for the bronze.
Goals: 1-0: Makarov, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Zemskov, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Shishin, min. 0 (1); 3-1: Masoumi, min. 3 (2); 3-2: Mokhtari, min. 1 (2); 4-2: Zemskov, min. 4 (3); 5-2: Novikov, min. 2 (3); 6-2: Nikonorov, min. 1 (3);
Brazil 7-5 Italy
It had been a while since these players had come face to face on the sand in an international tournament, but with such firepower on show, the spectators were guaranteed an electric match.
The players, however, were guaranteed a medal with victory today and tensions ran high.
Filipe hit a fortunate rebounded shot off the sand to open the scoring midway through the period. Rodrigo then put away a second before the first break.
Brazil lead, but it was only so long before Gabriele Gori got his name on the scoresheet. However, a second for Rodrigo restored a two-goal cushion. Italy hit back when Chiavaro was laid off straight from the kick off to power in from the right.
The number 13 then scored again, but this time turning a low cross into his own goal. This seemed to turn the momentum of the game and Brazil seized control with two more goals, the first a powerful Rodrigo overhead and then Catarino scrambled the ball over the line for a scrappy number six.
Just after the restart, Ramacciotti flew to hit a volley from close-range and a minute later Gori dispossessed keeper Rafa Padilha to tuck number four into an unguarded net, and suddenly the Azzurri were just two behind.
Lucao stemmed the goals when he snuck into space in the middle of the pitch to push the difference back to three. But an incredible signature Gori bicycle kick saw the number ten complete a hat-trick of his own.
Time was running out but the 2018 European champions were demonstrating that they could come back into this match at any minutes.
Gori had a what would have been a fourth disallowed for handball, but the seasoned Brazilians held off the men in blue effectively until the very last whistle.
The world champions may be winning games, but have conceded more goals than they will be comfortable with so far this tournament. The final against Russia promises to be a tough battle.
Goals: 1-0: Filipe, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Rodrigo, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Gori, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Rodrigo, min. 10 (2); 3-2: Chiavaro, min. 10 (2); 4-2: Chiavaro (OG), min. 5 (2); 5-2: Rodrigo, min. 5 (2); 6-2: Catarino, min. 5 (2); 6-3: Ramacciotti, min. 11 (3); 6-4: Gori, min. 10 (3); 7-4: Lucao, min. 8 (3); 7-5: Gori, min. 4 (3);
15.10.2019
17:30 – Iran v Italy (Bronze Medal)
20:30 – Russia v Brazil (Gold Medal)
Stay up-to-date on the ANOC World Beach Games Qatar 2019 on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
