GOLD COAST, Australia (AP) – The Iranian women’s soccer team sang and saluted during the national anthem ahead of their match against Australia in the Women’s Asian Cup on Thursday, in contrast to the silence before the opening match.
However, the result was the same, with World Cup semi-finalists Australia winning 4-0.
of Silence during the national anthem Monday’s 3-0 loss to South Korea came before being variously reported as an act of defiance or a show of condolence. The team has not disclosed.
However, in a press conference on the eve of the match against Australia, the Iranian striker said: Sarah Didal fought back tears. She shared her concerns for the families and loved ones of the players and management in this situation. war in the middle east.
Didar, 21, was on the bench when Thursday’s match began in pouring rain on the Gold Coast, where Iran are scheduled to play all three Group A matches.
Iran’s military and management refuse to comment on military strikes or death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneihead coach Marzieh Jafari said it was important for the women’s players to focus on the tournament as professional players and aim to qualify for next year’s World Cup.
The Iranians arrived in Australia last Saturday, well before the Israeli and US attack on Iran.
The change in approach to playing the national anthem between matches in Australia appeared to mirror that of the Iranian men’s team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The men did not sing the national anthem before the game. Lost the opening match against England when turmoil overshadowed the beginning of their campaign. In the second match against Wales, the players celebrated the moment they scored by singing the national anthem.
Iran entered the World Cup amid a violent crackdown on mass women’s protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Martha Amini in the custody of the country’s morality police.
Iranian supporters were among the crowd of about 22,000 at Gold Coast Stadium on Thursday.
After another heavy defeat, the Iranians need a big win against the Philippines in their final group match next Monday to maintain their chances of reaching the quarter-finals and securing a spot at next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Before the match, a group of demonstrators against the Iranian regime gathered outside.
Nasrin Vaziri, an Iranian-Australian and long-time Gold Coast resident, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she was here because she wanted to support the players.
“I think they’re great because they haven’t played a lot,” Baziri told ABC. “Even under pressure, they’re real people. We’re proud of them. As a woman, I’m proud of them.”
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