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Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Iran for finishing third at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai, whilst also commending the performances of Asian teams and match officials as Oman’s Turki Abdullah Said Al Salehi was appointed second referee in the Final between eventual winners Brazil and Italy on Sunday.
Following their 6-1 victory over Belarus in the third-place play-off, IR Iran sealed their second consecutive bronze medal finish in tournaments they’ve been involved in, after their Bahamas 2017 exploits.
Shaikh Salman said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to congratulate the Islamic Republic of Iran on clinching the Bronze medal at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai and for bringing the tournament to life with their skill, tenacity and flair.
“Our three other Asian teams – Japan, Oman and hosts the United Arab Emirates – also deserve our praise and our match officials, in particular, have graced the most high-profile matches in some of the biggest stages in world football and we must applaud them for embodying the AFC’s Vision of standing proud with the world’s elite.
“We must also hail the remarkable efforts of the United Arab Emirates Football Association, the Local Organising Committee and FIFA for staging an exceptional tournament.”
Sunday’s final marked the second consecutive edition that saw an AFC referee officiate in the Final after Malaysia’s Suhaimi Mat Hassan was selected to oversee the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021 decider between Japan and the Russian Football Union (RFU).
Additionally, Japan’s Yuichi Hatano, who also made his third appearance in the 2024 edition of the competition, was selected to act as fourth referee.
Moreover, the familiar duo was joined by Ibrahim Yousif Abdulla Ahmed Al Raeesi, hailing from the host nation of the United Arab Emirates. Al Raeesi was appointed as timekeeper in the Final.
With three of the five officials overseeing the Final hailing from Asia along with Islamic Republic of Iran securing a third-place finish, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai was yet another instance of the AFC’s undeterred effort to cement its position as a model Confederation.
