Iran’s disappointed World Cup squad returned to a much warmer welcome at Tehran airport on Wednesday than they experienced on arrival in the US for their three group games. “Iran, Iran!” a crowd of several hundred children, their parents and devoted fans chanted in unison. Some waved the Iranian national flag while others sported bracelets […]
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Posted inSoccer America Confidential
Group G thrown on its head as ‘shameful’ Belgium struggles
This was supposed to be the simple group, the slam-dunk group, the start of a final, satisfying sendoff for Belgium’s “golden” generation.
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Mexican fans rally behind Iran as ‘our second team’ at World Cup
Sporting his Mexico team jersey, soccer fan Alan Romero got up at 4 am on Sunday to drive from Tijuana to Los Angeles, just so he could cheer for Iran in its World Cup match against Belgium. The 35-year-old is one of hundreds of Mexican supporters who went to SoFi Stadium to watch a match […]
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Iran coach hails ‘great achievement’ after second World Cup draw
Coach Amir Ghalenoei hailed Iran’s unbeaten start to the World Cup as a “great achievement” that will be remembered by future generations, following a 0-0 draw with Belgium on Sunday. Having arrived at the tournament under the shadow of war between Tehran and Washington, Iran have drawn both their opening games, and remain in with […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential
‘Team Melli’ divides
The image Tehrangeles presented as Iran opened its seventh World Cup — a huge, adoring crowd wrapped in the flag, wearing the jersey, cheering on Team Melli in the most Iranian city outside Iran — masks a most complicated and, in the wake of unfathomable tragedy, increasingly fractured reality. Things are not as they might […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Iran ‘most oppressed team in whole World Cup’ – coach
Coach Amir Ghalenoei said Iran is the “most oppressed team in the World Cup” after his players were suddenly informed they must travel back to Mexico immediately after their opening game ended in Los Angeles late Monday. It is the latest logistical nightmare for an Iran squad that arrived at the tournament being co-hosted by […]
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‘The mullahs’ team’: Split loyalties for Iran fans at World Cup
Iran’s World Cup campaign began in Los Angeles in a blaze of goals and controversy Monday, with hundreds protesting against a team they see as stooges for an extremist government in Tehran. A boisterous protest greeted fans arriving at SoFi stadium in Los Angeles, with demonstrators waving the pre-revolutionary flag detested by the leaders of […]
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Iran begin fraught World Cup with 2-2 New Zealand draw
Iran twice battled back for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday in their frenetic opening match of a World Cup campaign that has been utterly overshadowed by war, politics and protests. The Iranian team’s very presence at the Los Angeles Stadium had long felt uncertain, after months of military conflict between their nation […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Iran World Cup coach says ‘impacted’ by politics but ignoring ‘hype’
Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Sunday political tensions and visa issues have damaged his team’s preparations for the World Cup but insisted his players will not “pay attention to any of the hype.” Iran has arrived at the tournament under the shadow of a bitter diplomatic row, after the United States — in military […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily
Iranian-Americans vow to protest World Cup game in Los Angeles
When Iran takes to the field on Monday for the first game of its World Cup, Sara Barahman will be among the thousands of protesters outside the stadium waving a very specific flag: the one used by the country before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. If these banners — featuring a lion and sun over green, […]