Iran play out thrilling draw with New Zealand after chaotic World Cup build-up
By Jamie Gardner, Press Association Chief Sports Reporter, Los Angeles
Iran drew their World Cup opener with New Zealand but emphatically won the support of the Iranian community inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, having overcome unprecedented obstacles just to play at these finals.
The Asian team hit back twice through Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi to force a 2-2 draw, with Eli Just grabbing a brace for the All Whites.
A World Cup had never kicked off with a host at war with a participant before.
Iran has faced the threat of being unable to take their place at the tournament ever since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign back in February, been forced to change training venue from the US to Mexico to combat visa issues, and still had 11 non-playing officials blocked from entering the States for the team’s matches.
‘Lion and Sun’ flags – the emblem of Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution – were in evidence within the stadium despite FIFA’s efforts to ban them and there was definitely booing of the anthem before the game from Los Angeles’ Iranian diaspora in attendance.
Overwhelmingly, though, the fans had decided the team was not the regime, and roared them on from the outset.
Iran made a brighter start but fell behind in the seventh minute after Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood held the ball up well and combined with Just, and the Motherwell man steered a volley past Alireza Behranvand in the Iran goal.
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi struck the post after a long run from his own half, and the equaliser came in the 32nd minute as New Zealand defender Finn Surman denied Shahriyar Moghanloo a strike on goal, but the ball rolled on to right-back Rezaeian, who poked the ball in after continuing a forward run in the hope of a give-and-go.
Just scored his and New Zealand’s second 10 minutes into the second half, rounding off a flowing team move, but Iran were level again when Rezaeian swung in a cross from the right, and Mohebbi guided a header in off the foot of the post.
Both sides had half-chances to win it, but the game ended level.
