Los Angeles: Iran’s World Cup opener ends in 2-2 draw amid fan division and travel challenges
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Is It OK to Root For Iran’s World Cup Team? Persians Are Divided. - Slate Magazine
The Iran national football team played to a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their opening World Cup match in Inglewood, California. The game, held at Los Angeles Stadium, saw a crowd of 70,000, predominantly Iran supporters, witness a back-and-forth contest. Despite being ranked 85th by FIFA, New Zealand challenged the 20th-ranked Iran, with the match described as one of the tournament’s most thrilling.
The match was preceded by demonstrations outside the stadium, where around 50 protestors voiced concerns about events in Iran. Some demonstrators held signs referencing a mass slaughter of protestors in January. As Iran fans arrived, some protestors reportedly shouted criticisms, linking the team to the government. This division reflects broader sentiments within the Iranian diaspora, particularly in Southern California, home to a significant Iranian community.
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere was also marked by mixed reactions. Cheers and boos were heard during the playing of Iran‘s national anthem. Many fans displayed the “Lion and Sun” flag, a symbol of the previous Iranian regime, despite FIFA‘s ban on political flags. Match stewards made attempts to have these flags put away, but they remained visible throughout the game.
The Iran team faced numerous challenges leading up to and during the tournament. The domestic league was suspended in March due to the American-Israeli war against Iran, impacting players’ match practice. There was initial uncertainty about the team’s participation, with threats of boycotts from the Iranian federation and visa restrictions from U.S. authorities. Visas were reportedly limited to two days at a time and excluded several team staffers.
The team’s base camp was moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, necessitating cross-border travel on match days. Coach Amir Ghalenoei indicated that the team was forced to return to its training base in Mexico immediately after the match, despite expectations to stay overnight for recovery. This unexpected travel requirement was a source of frustration for the team.
Adding to the team’s difficulties, star striker Sardar Azmoun was not included on the roster, reportedly due to perceived “disloyalty” to the regime. Coach Ghalenoei downplayed the exclusion in a pre-match press conference. Captain Mehdi Taremi acknowledged the tension felt by the team, stating, “This kind of tension, it undermines that joy, and it undermines the message of FIFA and our people, that is about football that brings about peace.”
On the field, New Zealand‘s Elijah Just scored in the seventh minute, following a play with Chris Wood. Iran‘s captain Mehdi Taremi nearly equalized with a strike that hit the post in the 23rd minute. Iran later found an equalizer when Ramin Rezaeian scored off a rebound from Shahriyar Moghanlou. New Zealand regained the lead in the second half with another goal from Just, assisted by Wood. Mohammad Mohebi then scored Iran‘s second equalizer with a header from a long ball by Rezaeian.
The match concluded in a 2-2 draw, a result that came after a game filled with scoring opportunities for both sides. Following the match, Taremi expressed gratitude to the fans but also disappointment regarding the travel arrangements imposed on the team.
Iran‘s upcoming matches in group play include a game against Belgium in Inglewood on Sunday, followed by a trip to Seattle to face Egypt next week.
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Source: slate.com
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