The players chose to sing the national anthem before the match against Australia, in contrast to their silence at the previous match.
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After opting for silence during the opening game of the tournament, players of the Iranian women’s soccer team saluted and sang the national anthem before their match against Australia in the Asian Cup.
On a rain-soaked Thursday night on Australia’s Gold Coast, hosts Australia defeated Iran 4-0 in the second group game of the regional tournament.
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Iran’s team and management, who have expressed fear and concern for their families back home amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel, appeared calm and chose not to sing the national anthem during Monday’s game against South Korea.
But they sang “Mehr-e Khavaran” (The Eastern Sun) together in the pouring rain, and some in the crowd booed during the national anthem before kick-off at Robina Stadium.
Some spectators waved pre-1979 Iranian flags in protest against the current government, while others held banners supporting US President Donald Trump.
Although these groups of Iranian expatriates supported the team’s performance on the field, they clearly showed displeasure when the national anthem was played.
It’s unclear why the team changed stances between the two games, but they spoke openly about the difficulty of competing in a tournament thousands of miles away from home while their country is under attack by the United States and Israel.
The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday, killing at least 1,230 people, including the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
The worst single incident occurred in the southeastern Iranian city of Minab, where 165 girls were killed in a strike at an elementary school.
An internet blackout has made it nearly impossible for players and staff to contact anyone, and coach Marzieh Jafari is grateful for the support he has received from the Iranian-Australian.
“I’m so happy that Iranian-Australians here are supporting us,” she told Australian media on Wednesday.
“Obviously we have great concern for our families and loved ones and all the other people in the country from whom we are completely cut off.
“We are here to play professional soccer. We will focus on the upcoming games and do our best.”
Before the match, a group of demonstrators against the Iranian regime gathered outside.
Iranian-Australian Nasrin Vaziri, a long-time Gold Coast resident, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that she came 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.”
The US and Israeli bombardment of Iran continued for six days, with missiles raining down in quick succession in waves of attacks that continued day and night.
Striker Sara Didal fought back tears as she spoke of the team’s concerns.
“Obviously, we’re all concerned and saddened by what happened to Iran and to our families and our loved ones,” the 21-year-old told reporters.
Iran is on the brink of elimination after losing for the second time in as many games, with only a big win (0-2) against the Philippines on Sunday to hope for a place in the quarterfinals.
Australia and South Korea have already qualified from the group. The top two teams from each of the three groups will play in the best-of-eight stage, with the top two teams in third place taking the remaining spots.
The Asian Cup also serves as a stepping stone to qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and Jafari’s team will be hoping to do well enough to secure a spot.
