The “Dragons” upset and are dealing with the tip. / Iran vs Wales: Iran wins in stoppage time
Iran’s footballers saved their dream of reaching the knockout levels of a World Cup for the primary time alive with a passionate efficiency. They got here to a late 2-0 (0-0) win in opposition to Wales on Friday (25.11.2022) on the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan.
After the 6-2 debacle in opposition to England, the Iranians improved enormously and had been initially unfortunate that an offside aim was dominated out and the put up got here in the way in which twice. Both objectives got here in damage time.
Iran coach Queiroz: “Job not finished yet”
Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey noticed the purple card within the closing levels for a foul play (86th minute). Captain Gareth Bale’s crew is now on the point of extinction, the “Dragons” solely have one level in Group B.
“It will be very difficult, we have one game left. We need to recover well and then give everything again,” stated Bale. Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz tried to seize the euphoria in his crew: “We haven’t finished our job yet. Everything is open in this group,” he stated. “We wanted to give gifts to the Iranian fans – and we want to do that again.”
In the group last subsequent Tuesday (29.11.2022/8 p.m. dwell on sportschau.de) Wales meets England in a “brother duel”, Iran performs on the identical time in opposition to the political archenemy USA.
Iranian gamers sing anthem
In view of the protests in opposition to the mullahs’ regime in Iran which have been happening for greater than two months, all eyes had been as soon as once more on the underdog’s gamers even earlier than kick-off: Would they refuse to sing alongside to the nationwide anthem once more, as they did in opposition to England?
No, all of the gamers, together with Leverkusen’s Sardar Azmoun, who had proven solidarity with the protesters at house earlier than the World Cup, a minimum of moved their lips.
Gholizadeh offside – Iran’s aim doesn’t depend
In phrases of sport, Queiroz’s crew confirmed itself to be considerably improved. The Portuguese coach made a complete of 4 modifications to the beginning XI and this was instrumental within the Iranians combining properly and getting much more of the sport initially.
However, a aim by Ali Gholizadeh was disallowed as a result of the Belgian participant was dominated offside after a one-two with Azmoun (16′).
Hosseini thwarts Moore probability
Four minutes earlier, Kieffer Moore had let the raucous Welsh followers within the stadium take a deep breath. The Bournemouth striker, additionally a brand new begin after the 1-1 draw with USA, leapt foot-first into an ideal Connor Roberts cross from the correct.
Iran goalkeeper Seyed Hosseini thwarted the possibility with a superb act. The precise primary, Alireza Beiranvand, who suffered a concussion early on in opposition to England, noticed it by his face masks with benevolence.
The sport remained intense within the second a part of the primary half, however there have been few scenes within the penalty space. It was solely in damage time that there was extra pleasure in entrance of the Welsh aim when Azmoun narrowly missed a cross from the half discipline (45+2).
Double probability Iran – the posts are in the way in which
Iran had been nonetheless in management after the restart, and as soon as once more the main target was on the offensive duo Azmoun/Gholizadeh. A double probability within the 52nd minute noticed Welsh goalkeeper Hennessey already overwhelmed, however Azmoun was initially blocked by the correct put up. On the second try, Gholizadeh’s shot from 18 meters landed on the left fringe of the aim. Azmoun needed to go away the sphere after a very good hour on account of a left leg damage.
His colleagues continued to battle for his or her probability to remain within the event. Saeid Ezatolahi narrowly missed the Welsh aim (72′). The Welsh solely awoke within the closing levels. In the 83rd minute, the highly effective Iranian substitute keeper Hosseini deflected Ben Davies’ long-range shot over the crossbar.
Wales keeper Hennessey sees purple
Almost in return, then the primary actual truthful play pleasure. The Welsh goalkeeper brutally rammed a stretched-legged Mehdi Taremi at chest peak from far exterior the penalty space.
Referee Mario Escobar from Guatemala first pulled out the yellow card, however corrected himself after the intervention of the video assistants and despatched Hennessey off the sphere with the primary dismissal of the event (86th).
Scorer Chesmi: “Victory of solidarity”
In the tip, nevertheless, the Iranians rewarded themselves for his or her self-sacrificing wrestle with two objectives in added time. Rouzbeh Cheshmi crafted a long-range shot from 20 meters flat into the correct nook (90+8).
After that, the strain of the previous few days erupted in “Team Melli” within the jubilation – particularly when Ramin Rezaeian went one higher after a counterattack (90+11). “Today we were mentally ready. It was a victory for solidarity,” stated goalscorer Chesmi.
Sang the anthem this time
Iran’s nationwide crew had boycotted the anthem earlier than the primary sport – however right this moment the gamers sang alongside. You should have been accused of being a “Team Mullah” at house for a very long time.
The Iranian nationwide crew might not be essentially the most profitable on the World Cup in Qatar – however many contemplate it the bravest. Because earlier than the opening sport in opposition to England, she dared to stay silent throughout the nationwide anthem in solidarity with the anti-regime protests at house. At least since then, the gamers ought to be below large strain.
And they don’t appear to have withstood it: in tonight’s sport, you don’t actually hear anybody fervently singing alongside within the stadium – such as you did with the Wales nationwide anthem a couple of minutes earlier. But the Iranian gamers a minimum of transfer their lips roughly. Their faces are petrified because the Iranian anthem performs.
One participant’s arm is simple to learn: “Love me for who I am.” The solely assertion that may be seen on the sphere in the mean time.
Bitter tears movement within the stands of the stadium. Before kick-off, folders had taken a banner from a fan. One of crucial slogans of the demonstrators at house in Iran was written on it: girls, life, freedom.
In Iran in opposition to the protests proceed
Meanwhile, the protests proceed within the nation: They are thirsty for the blood of the leaders, they shout at an indication in Zahedan within the south-east this morning. Football and the World Cup in Qatar just isn’t a difficulty for most individuals today.
Human rights organizations say a minimum of 400 individuals have died since mid-September, together with 40 kids. Demonstrators are stated to be tortured and raped within the prisons. At least six are sentenced to demise. The Human Rights Commission of the United Nations (UN) determined yesterday in Geneva to have human rights violations investigated.
In his response to the UN decision, which Germany helped introduce, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian spoke of the Berlin regime taking part in home political video games. That ought to discuss with the demonstration in Berlin final month. 80,000 contributors had expressed their solidarity with the protests and a few additionally needed to place strain on the federal authorities.
Was Ghafouri’s arrest a warning?
None of this appears to impress the regime in Tehran. Voria Ghafouri was arrested yesterday. The Kurd and former Iranian nationwide soccer participant frequently criticizes the federal government and in addition attends the funerals of the victims of the protests. He was not nominated for the World Cup in Qatar.
Many see his arrest only a day earlier than Iran’s second World Cup sport as a warning to his teammates, who had been allowed to fly. It could possibly be the identical for them after they return to Iran.
“Team Melli” grew to become “Team Mullah”
But possibly they had been simply upset with the response of the demonstrators to their silence on the anthem earlier than the primary sport. Instead of sympathy, they earn ridicule.
The nickname of the Iran nationwide crew is “Team Melli”. This has now turn into “Team Mullah” – an allusion to their go to to the ultra-conservative President Ebrahim Raisi. The seemingly light-hearted pictures of it simply made many Iranians indignant.
A photograph on-line exhibits a person on the again of a motorbike – in all probability within the streets of Tehran. He has the British flag tied round his shoulders. It’s one of many flags, together with the Israeli and US, that individuals normally burn at pro-regime rallies, which they angrily trample on. The man dangers rather a lot – and sends a transparent sign. The enemies of the regime usually are not the enemies of the individuals of Iran.
