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06/15 22:04 CDT Iran opens a politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2
draw with New Zealand
Iran opens a politically charged World Cup by playing to a 2-2 draw with New
Zealand
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) --- Iran opened its politically charged World Cup by
playing to a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday night, overcoming two deficits
and getting the tying goal from Mohammad Mohebbi in the 64th minute.
Ramin Rezaeian scored an early goal and assisted on Mohebbi's goal for the
Iranians, whose World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel
began a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran ultimately decided to compete even
after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of
the U.S.
Iran moved its training base during the tournament from Arizona to Tijuana,
Mexico, and the team is flying into the U.S. on the day before each game before
returning quickly to Mexico.
Team Melli began the tournament before a strong pro-Iranian crowd at SoFi
Stadium near Los Angeles, which has the world's largest population of Iranians
outside Iran. While several hundred Iranian Americans protested the government
outside, many fans from the diaspora jeered and turned their backs on the field
during the national anthem --- but almost all appeared to support the Iranian
players once the match kicked off.
Elijah Just scored early in each half for New Zealand, but Iran responded twice
to keep the All Whites winless in their World Cup history.
___
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/fifa-world-cup
