FIFA Beach Soccer: Iran end up with wooden spoon

Team Melli were trailing 3-0 by the second period after Senegalese goals from Gomis Mbengue and Papa Koukpaki, who hit two, before Ali Nadiri gave the Iranians a slim lifeline which proved to be of little avail when Victor Diagne added one more.

Iran lost their first match to Uruguay heavily before going down to hosts France narrowly, ending up with the group’s wooden spoon.

Asian beach soccer champions UAE and runners-up Japan are among six teams today aiming to secure the three remaining spots in the quarter-finals. UAE need a straightforward win over Russia to advance from Group C as the runners-up.

Japan not only need to beat Spain but also hope that Brazil defeat Mexico to stand any chance of advancing and repeating their 2005 success when they booked progression to the semi-finals.