Ladies soccer followers wave nationwide flags and cheer throughout a pleasant match between Iran and Kenya in Tehran. — AFP/File
GOLD COAST: Soccer chiefs supplied “full support and assistance” to the Iranian group in Australia on Sunday for the Ladies’s Asian Cup after the US and Israel launched huge assaults on their homeland.
Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days earlier than the strikes on Saturday, which assassinated supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Washington and Tel Aviv search to topple the Islamic Republic.
They’re on account of open their event on Monday in opposition to South Korea.
The Asian Soccer Confederation stated in an announcement it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period”.
“The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and security of all players, coaches, officials and fans,” it added.
“In this regard, we are in close and regular contact with the Iranian women’s national team and officials on the Gold Coast and are offering our full support and assistance.”
Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari held a pre-match press convention on Sunday however caught to soccer, saying the event was an opportunity to point out “the potential of Iranian women”.
“After the league season in Iran, we came together for three training camps, before coming to Australia where we have had a few fruitful sessions, so I hope tomorrow we can show you a good match,” she stated.
The 12-team event, which kicks off Sunday, can be one of many greatest ever for a lot of Iranian gamers.
They made a historic debut on the final Asian Cup in India in 2022 and suffered heavy defeats in opposition to China and Taiwan, but it surely made them nationwide heroes in a rustic the place girls’s rights are severely restricted.
“In India in 2022, the group was a little easier, now in 2026 we enter with more experience but the group is more tough,” stated Jafari of a bunch that additionally contains hosts Australia and the Philippines.
“But we (still) want to show in these games the potential of Iranian women.”
Iran confirmed grit to come back by a difficult qualifying marketing campaign for Australia that culminated with a win in opposition to favourites Jordan to seal back-to-back look.
Skipper Zahra Ghanbari stated she was dreaming huge.
“I believe this tournament is great with great teams, but we really want to qualify for the World Cup,” stated the 33-year-old.
“We know these will be tough games, but we have a tough mentality and we want to do our best.”
The highest six finishers will qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
