Dubai: Brazil claimed their first-ever inter-continental glory with a hard-fought 3-2 extra-time win over former two-time champions Russia in an action-packed final of the 2014 Samsung Beach Soccer Inter-Continental Cup that concluded at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) late on Saturday.
Shaikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the trophies along with Saeed Hareb, Vice President, DIMC.
In the inaugural year in 2011, Russia sprung a surprise with a 5-4 extra-time victory over the multiple world champions. One year later, Russia successfully defended their title with a 7-4 win over the South Americans.
Last year, Brazil had a disappointing outing in Dubai as they did not even make it to the semi-finals. But this year, Russia was without their main goalkeeper Andrey Bukhlitskiy - suspended for a match after Friday’s red card - there was no denying them their first-ever inter-continental crown as they showed the hunger and will to win.
Frederico da Costa gave Brazil the lead late in the opening period only to see Russia come up with an equaliser within 16 seconds as Kirill Romanov converted from the spot. After playing out a goalless second period, Brazil got the second of the night when Rodrigo da Costa coolly rolled past substitute goalkeeper Maxim Chuzhkov. Anotoliy Peremitin brought the teams on level terms from a free kick to force an extra period of three minutes.
And once again it was Bruno Xavier showing his pedigree as the best player in the world with a fine strike with just 53 seconds remaining to help Brazil to their first-ever crown in the UAE.
Earlier, Portugal scored all three goals in the third and final period to pack off defending champions Iran 3-0 and pick up the third spot in the eight-team competition.
After the first two periods ended goalless, Portugal got their first goal early in the third when Jordan Santos crashed his shot into the roof of the net. Bernardo Barral Santos made it 2-0 with 6.25 minutes remaining with a stunning volley that evaded the outstretched hands of Seyed Peyman Hosseinilargani.
Hosts UAE were unfortunate in their chase for fifth place as they went down in the very last minute of their match against African champions Morocco. Leading 2-1 till the final minute, the UAE were left heart-broken as Morocco skipper Nassim Al Hadaoui equalised with 47.1 seconds remaining to force the three minutes of extra-time.
Al Hadaoui found the goal a second time within a minute of extra-time to make it 3-2 and Anas Al Hadaoui rounded off UAE goalkeeper Mohammad Abdullah Al Jasmi and tapped into an empty goal for the fourth.
In the first match of the day, Japan swamped the USA 6-1 to finish one up from the Americans in the fight for seventh place. Inspirational skipper Ozu Moreira and Takaaki Oba got two goals each after Naoya Matsuo had opened the scoring and Takuya Akaguma slipped one in between.
Seventh place: Japan bt USA 6-1
Fifth place: Morocco bt UAE 4-2
Third place: Portugal bt Iran 3-0
Final: Brazil bt Russia 3-2 (extra-time)
