Source :- THE AGE NEWS
“I’m extremely proud of the players,” says NZ manager Darren Bazeley. “With the work rate, and we created loads of chances. I thought we were really, really good in possession, defended pretty well for the majority, and we’ve come off disappointed to not win a game because we were leading twice.
“Scored two great goals had some moments, which was really good. It’s going to be a little bit bittersweet because we had a chance to make history tonight and win a game at a World Cup. And we came really close, we didn’t lose. We kept in it and played really, really well.”
Iran opened their politically charged World Cup with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, overcoming two deficits and tying the match via Mohammad Mohebi’s 64th-minute goal.
Ramin Rezaeian scored his country’s first goal and then assisted Mohebi’s goal for the Iranians, whose World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the US and Israel began a war against Iran on February 28. Iran ultimately decided to compete even after FIFA rejected their request to move their three group-stage matches out of the US.
Iran moved their training base during the tournament from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, and the team are flying into the US on the day before each game, before returning quickly to Mexico. Captain Mehdi Taremi acknowledged that this World Cup has been a difficult experience, containing little of the joy that football represents to him and his teammates.
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.
Well, perhaps this was destined to be a draw given how the rest of today has played out. The managers shake hands. The players collapse in a heap, defeated by their exertions. Twice the Kiwis held the lead and looked the goods for a first World Cup win, and twice they were pegged back by an Iran side that just wouldn’t let up.
It’s lofted well past the far post and met by a header back to the centre of goal. And if it isn’t for Thomas’ intervention that’s potentially the game right there.
Iran 2-2 New Zealand, 90+4 minutes
That’s enough time, folks. The breakneck pace continues unabated. More subs are made, with Singh making way for Randall and Stamenic coming off for Bindon. I would say Iran have the upper hand except that Wood is back in Iran’s box for a header towards goal. It’s straight to the keeper. And Just, hunting for a hat-trick, bears down on goal with only the keeper in front of him. Hajsafi clears in the nick of time, and gets a yellow.
Iran 2-2 New Zealand, 90 minutes
Ghayedi is toying with two All Whites on the left, tempting them and tricking them out of it. He tries for a cross that doesn’t work, and Iran recycle and start another attack. It’s back with Ghayedi and this time he whips the ball into the box for a Mohebi shot that heads straight for Crocombe.
Iran 2-2 New Zealand, 87 minutes
The Kiwi captain is throwing himself about in aerial challenges as the game gets a bit scrappy, and the question is whether he was at fault when Khalilzadeh rams into his back. The VAR takes a look and lets it go. Innocent.
Iran 2-2 New Zealand, 84 minutes
A colleague asks the question on our work Slack, and it’s tough to argue it’s up there so far.
But not good to see Taremi leaving the field now with what looks like some sort of injury, or tightness – or something. Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh gets on the field quick smart to replace him
Iran 2-2 New Zealand, 80 minutes
