GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) — Zahra Gambari and her Iranian team stood during the national anthem. Women’s Asian Cup Monday’s soccer tournament is far away war It began over the weekend with major attacks by Israel and the United States.
Before losing the opening game against South Korea, Iran coach Marzieh Jafari declined to comment. About military attacks and the death of your country’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneisaid the team needs to focus on the tournament.
Although there were some smiling faces thanking supporters at Gold Coast Stadium, the mood was mostly somber during the national anthem. And that led to the business of football.
South Korea, the runners-up in the 2022 Women’s Asian Cup, won 3-0 despite Iran’s tenacious defense led by goalkeeper Mariam Yektaei.
South Korea took 20 shots in the first half alone, but Choi Yu-ri’s goal in the 37th minute gave them a 1-0 lead. She pounced on the rebound when Zhang Sergui’s angled left-footed shot deflected off the post.
In the 59th minute, Kim Hye-ri scored from the penalty spot, and in the 75th minute, Ko Yoo-jin scored with a well-timed header.
“We definitely could have scored a little more, but we missed some chances. That’s definitely something we’ll work on in training going forward,” said South Korea substitute Casey Pair. “But I think it was a really good start to start the tournament with three points.”
Captain Gambari was substituted just before the end of regulation. Her team only had 21% possession and only three shots on goal compared to the Korean team’s 32.
A small number of Iranian fans shouted and waved red, white and green flags, including the pre-Islamic revolution flag.
One of the Iranian team’s biggest goals in this tournament is to secure a spot in the Women’s World Cup to be held in Brazil next year, and to do that they need to reach at least the quarter-finals in Australia.
Iran will next play host Australia on Thursday at the same venue in Queensland’s seaside tourist destination Gold Coast.
Sunday’s opening game in Perth drew a tournament record crowd of 44,379 to see the local stars. sam carr He scored in Australia’s 1-0 win over the Philippines.
After that victory, coach Kerr admitted that the situation was difficult for the Iranian team.
“These are young girls, young footballers…We’re going to treat this game like any other game, show the team the utmost respect and prepare properly,” Kerr told Australian TV.
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