Iran Womens Football Team Salute and Sing National Anthem at Asian Cup Match

Iranian Women’s Football Team Sing National Anthem Before Match Against Australia

The Iranian women’s football team sang their national anthem before their Asian Cup match against Australia on Thursday evening at the Robina Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia. This marked a change from their silence during the previous tie against South Korea.

In contrast to their stoic demeanor earlier in the tournament, the players and management chose to salute and sing “Mehr-e Khavaran” (Eastern Sun) before kickoff. The team had previously opted not to sing the anthem due to concerns for their families back home amid ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

The match saw host Australia hand Iran a 4-0 defeat, while several spectators waved the pre-1979 Iranian flag as a protest against the current regime. Others displayed banners in favor of US President Donald Trump.

Coach Marziyeh Jafari expressed gratitude to Iranian Australians for their support, stating that they are “so happy” to have fans who care about their well-being. The team has been under significant pressure due to the ongoing conflict, with coach Jafari acknowledging the difficulty of participating in a tournament thousands of miles away from home.

The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday, resulting in at least 1,230 deaths, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The team’s players have spoken about their concerns for their families and loved ones, who are largely disconnected due to the internet blackout.

Iran’s second loss in as many games has left them close to elimination, with only a big win over the Philippines on Sunday offering any hope of advancing to the quarterfinals.

Source: Al Jazeera