Doha. Iran defeated Wales in overtime.
But hardly any player stopped to speak to the media.
– They don’t want us to do that now, says Saman Qudous and says “next match”.
Iran has been one of the most discussed national teams so far during the World Cup.
Not because of the football – although that ended in a 2-0 win over Wales on Friday – but because of the turmoil at home.
“There must be a change.”
Saman Quddous was one of the Iranian national team players who came out before the tournament and spoke about the protests against the regime and especially its treatment of women.
– I don’t want to confuse politics with football, but football should be left aside for now. Because people lose their lives while fighting for their freedom. It is clear that there must be change, Quddous says in an interview with The Independent, as it has already been going on for a long time.
– Everyone can see what’s going on. It’s not very nice and if we can shed light on what’s going on and make a difference that would be a good thing.
They sang the national anthem
In the first meeting with England, the Iranian players did not sing along to the national anthem while the majority of the (Iranian) spectators booed.
Against Wales, they touched their lips anyway. Some more, some less.
After the match, he passed the majority of Iranian players without stopping. Ghoddos, who told Swedish media after the meeting with England that he might be talking about the next match, confirmed there could be talks later in the tournament instead.
The federation’s captain, Carlos Queiroz, praised the players in his press conference and praised the fans’ support.
– I think it was a great day for us, we’re back in football, Queiroz says.
– I don’t have enough words to thank our players.