Iran Clinches 4th Asian Beach Soccer Title, Qualifies for Seychelles World Cup 2025

Iran reinforced their supremacy in Asian beach soccer by clinching a historic fourth AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup title on Sunday, decisively defeating Oman 8-1 in a commanding final held in Pattaya, Thailand. This triumph not only affirmed Iran's position as the most successful team in the tournament's history but also marked their consecutive championship win as the reigning champions.

The final at the Jomtien Beach Arena commenced as a cautious contest, with both teams finding it difficult to make significant progress until the last moments of the first period. Iran’s Shirmohammadi elevated above the rest to score the first goal, providing his team with an early lead.

Subsequently, Iran asserted complete dominance, showcasing an unyielding offensive performance in the second half. Reza Amiri extended the advantage with a skillfully executed free-kick, followed by Movahed, who scored with an impressive acrobatic effort to increase the score to 3-0. Further goals from Nazem and a pair from Mirshekari placed Oman in a challenging position, although Al Bulushi succeeded in scoring a consolation goal for the Gulf team.

Any hopes of an Oman fightback were extinguished in the final period as Mokhtari’s brace sealed an emphatic triumph for Iran, showcasing their superiority in the sand once again.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa commended Iran for their historic achievement and recognized Oman's commendable journey to the final, hailing both teams for their contributions to another thrilling edition of the tournament.

“On behalf of the entire Asian football community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Islamic Republic of Iran for their remarkable performances throughout the tournament and securing a record fourth title,” said Salman.

“We also commend Oman for their spirited display and exceptional teamwork. Both the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran and Oman Football Association merit high praise for their commitment to developing the game at every level.”

The two finalists will represent the continent at the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025, scheduled to take place from May 1 to May 11 in Victoria, on Mahé Island. They will be joined by Japan, which secured a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in the third-place playoff.

“The Football Association of Thailand has answered the call to stage an exceptional competition for the third time and their commitment towards hosting numerous AFC competitions over the years is deeply appreciated and valued,” said Salman.

“Their efforts in organising world-class events are crucial for the development of our Asian teams and for elevating our collective standards, and we thank them for their unwavering support and belief in the AFC’s Vision and Mission.”

Cover Credits - Sports Digest