Pacific / French Polynesia

Sport: Tahiti through to Beach Soccer World Cup semis

07:28 am on 17 July 2015

Tahiti are through to the Beach Soccer World Cup semi finals for the second time after beating Iran 5-4.

Captain Naea Bennett scored the only goal of the opening period but Iran pulled the game back to 2-2 heading into the final stanza.

The Tiki Toa led five times throughout the match, but were pegged back on four occasions, with Heimanu Taiarui scoring the winner four minutes from time.

Tahiti will face Italy in the semi finals on Sunday morning after the Europeans edged Japan 3-2 at the Espinho Stadium.

In the other quarter final match-ups, holders Russia needed extra time to see off four time champions Brazil 6-5 while hosts Portugal thumped Switzerland 7-3.

Tahiti players at the Beach Soccer World Cup. Photo: Tahiti Football