Arabic version: فريق كرة القدم النسائي الإيراني يغير موقفه من النشيد الوطني في كأس آسيا

The Iranian women’s football team saluted and sang their national anthem before their Asian Cup match against Australia, reversing their decision to remain silent during the anthem in their opening game. This shift occurred during a rain-soaked match on Thursday evening in Gold Coast, Australia, where the team faced a challenging 4-0 loss.

According to Al Jazeera, the team’s management and players have expressed concerns for their families back home due to ongoing conflicts involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. In their first match against South Korea, the team opted not to sing the anthem, reflecting their worries about the situation in Iran.

During the anthem before the match against Australia, the players sang along to “Mehr-e Khavaran” (Eastern Sun) while sections of the crowd booed. Some spectators displayed the pre-1979 Iranian flag as a protest against the current regime, alongside banners supporting former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The team has been vocal about the emotional toll of participating in the tournament while disconnected from their families due to an internet blackout in Iran. Coach Marziyeh Jafari acknowledged the support from Iranian Australians, noting the difficulties faced by the players as they strive to focus on their matches.

Despite the challenges, the team aims to secure a win against the Philippines in their next game to keep their hopes alive for advancing to the quarterfinals. Currently, they are at risk of elimination after two losses, as Australia and South Korea have already qualified from their group.