Toronto Star Classroom Connection

Iranians win amid political turmoil

Coach says team’s goal is to provide ‘pride for the people’

ANNE M. PE T E R S ON

As protests that have gripped Iran emerged at the World Cup, its national team rallied late for its first win at the tournament in Qatar.

Rouzbeh Cheshmi scored in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time to break a scoreless stalemate and Iran went on to defeat Wales 2-0 on Friday. Goal celebrations were in contrast to the scene outside Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, where pro-government fans harassed anti-government national team supporters.

The Iranian team has been peppered with questions about unrest back home. Players who did not sing the national anthem before the tournament opener, in an apparent show of solidarity with protesters, linked arms and sang on Friday.

“Our job it is to produce joy, happiness, pride for the people,” said Iranian coach Carlos Queiroz. “That’s our job. We’re not indifferent to anything that happens in the world. But we — like doctors, like engineers, like pilots — we need to do our jobs.

“We hope that this 90 minutes of entertainment really helps the people to feel that joy, that happiness and that pride.”

Iran’s victory came after a disastrous 6-2 loss to England in its first match.

“I believe ... solidarity between the team members (was the reason) we were able to achieve this result,” Cheshmi said Friday through a translator.

His strike from outside the box was just beyond the diving reach of Wales backup goalkeeper Danny Ward, pressed into duty when starter Wayne Hennessey was sent off in the 86th minute for a high challenge on Mehdi Taremi.

Ramin Rezaeian added the second goal moments later and Iran wildly celebrated — tossing Queiroz in the air — while Welsh players dropped in disbelief.

SPORTS

en-ca

2022-11-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-11-26T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://torontostarnie.pressreader.com/article/283201562311780

Toronto Star Newspapers Limited