Iran began their World Cup campaign in Los Angeles on Monday with an opening match against New Zealand amid what the team described as an uncomfortable “tension”.
There was a mixed reception in the stadium, as both boos and cheers could be heard.
Despite FIFA banning the Lion and Sun flag, the pre-revolutionary flag of Iran, some spectators displayed it during the match, and jeered and turned their backs on the field during the national anthem.
Iran’s side drew 2-2 with New Zealand, which is ranked 65 places lower in FIFA’s rankings. Yet the Iranians also overcame two deficits in an exciting match, getting the tying goal from Mohammad Mohebi in the 64th minute before a strongly pro-Iranian crowd at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
Outside the stadium, protesters gathered before the match, largely made up of Iranian Americans who oppose the government in Tehran.
Los Angeles is the biggest home to the Iranian community outside of Iran.
Despite a tentative peace deal between Tehran and Washington, Team Melli said any joy from their World Cup experience has been marred by the disruption and uncertainty they faced before even arriving on US soil.
Only a few hours after the country’s opening match, the team’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, said they were ordered to leave the US and return to their training base in Mexico.
He didn’t say who ordered the Iranians to leave earlier than planned. The team had expected to spend the night in California to maximise the normal recovery process after its opening game, only to be told after the match that everyone must immediately get on a plane for the 140-mile trip back to Tijuana.
“They didn’t even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. “After the game today, they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately.’ It’s very important for us to have time for recovery, (but) we are asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana, and we are really troubled by that.”
“I think our team is perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup,” Ghalenoei said.
Against the backdrop of war with the US and Israel, the squad’s training base was moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, after Washington declined to host the squad for the tournament because of uncertainty and wider security concerns.
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi said the team endured five hours of travel and security checks during what’s normally a very short trip from Tijuana to the Los Angeles area on Sunday.
Ghalenoei said several players developed cramps during the game, which was played in mild conditions. He attributed the injury problems to the lack of proper preparation time caused by Iran’s bureaucratic and diplomatic obstacles.
Just days before the World Cup opening ceremony, the Iranian federation claimed in a statement reported by semi-official state media that it was now unable to provide any tickets to its supporters.
During Friday’s opening ceremony in Los Angeles, members of the mostly American crowd booed when Iran’s flag was brought onto the field.
If the United States and Iran both come out of their groups in second place, they will meet each other in the round of 32, which could further add to tensions felt among fans and players.
The Iranian team arrived in the Los Angeles area on Sunday from their training base in Tijuana – about 140 miles from the 70,000-seat Los Angeles Rams’ stadium, where they opened their group-stage play against New Zealand at 2am UK time.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, Iran’s captain Mehdi Taremi said: “I have felt the tension from the first moment we arrived at this World Cup.
“At any tournament, when there is tension, we won’t have the same beautiful experience we always talk about with peace and joy.
“I know it wasn’t just us. I know several countries had visa problems and changes with training camps,” said the 33-year-old Olympiacos striker, who is playing in his third World Cup.
“This kind of tension, it undermines that joy and it undermines the message of FIFA and our people, which is that football brings about peace.”
Taremi insisted his side plays “for every Iranian, be it in the diaspora or in Iran”.
“People have different opinions, but we are here to unite people and we will try to bring joy to all Iranians wherever they live,” he said.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei added: “I am just happy that they are coming to watch us and I hope that they will pray for us and I hope that they will encourage us.”
The Iranians’ remaining two games in group stage play are against Belgium in Inglewood on Sunday, followed by a trip to Seattle to face Egypt next week.
Both matches are tougher on paper, endangering their chances of getting out of the World Cup group stage for the first time. Iran, Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand have one point apiece after the opening round.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
