After the final whistle of Iran vs New Zealand, the team’s focus shifted from football to something far more frustrating. They were ordered to leave the United States immediately.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei was furious. According to him, the team expected to stay overnight in California to recover before traveling back to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico the next day. Instead, they were told right after the match that they had to pack up and go straight away.
“They didn’t even give us time to recover,” Ghalenoei said through an interpreter. “After the game they told us that we had to leave immediately. Recovery is extremely important after a match, but we were asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana. We are really troubled by that.”
The coach admitted he had no idea why the plans changed. “To be honest, we don’t know why we are being sent back. It feels very strange. It seems that decisions are being made for us elsewhere. We were supposed to arrive two days before the game and stay overnight afterwards before returning the next day. We have no idea why that changed.”
Ghalenoei didn’t hold back. “I think our team is perhaps the most oppressed in the World Cup,” he said.
Captain Mehdi Taremi backed up his coach’s frustrations. “We have to leave Los Angeles right now, and it is not good for us,” Taremi said. “I think FIFA have to help us more than this. Everything is like a disaster, actually, for us.”
Amir Ghalenoei and Mehdi Taremi Criticize Travel Situation After New Zealand Draw
Coach Amir Ghalenoei called his squad “the most oppressed” team at the World Cup. He was furious that they were told to leave Los Angeles immediately after the match instead of staying overnight to recover. “After the game today they said to us, ‘You have to leave immediately,'” Ghalenoei said.
He said they had no idea why the plan changed. “We were supposed to arrive two nights before the game but they didn’t permit it. We were supposed to stay here tonight to recover and return tomorrow lunchtime.” He also pointed out that members of their delegation couldn’t even make the trip because they were denied visas. “Our federation isn’t here, our media isn’t here, our management isn’t here.”
Taremi said the constant travel and uncertainty is taking a toll. “In the World Cup, you have to prepare good for the next game, which is a lot of stress for the players and the staff and everyone. But we don’t have that support, and I think FIFA have to help us more than this.”
The short trip from Tijuana to Los Angeles took five hours, mainly because of immigration delays. And now they have to fly back right after the match. “It’s supposed to be: tomorrow morning recovery, then we fly to Tijuana, then we return to LA again, but right now we have to go back,” Taremi said.
Their next Group G match is also at SoFi Stadium against Belgium on Sunday. That means another trip back to the US later this week, then back to Los Angeles on matchday. The team is already exhausted, and they haven’t even played their second game yet.
Iran vs New Zealand: Team Melli Fight Back Twice in Tense 2-2 World Cup Draw
Iran and New Zealand played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Los Angeles Stadium in a World Cup match that was never just about football. The game had a charged atmosphere from start to finish, with protests outside the venue and deep divisions among Iranian American fans in the stands.
New Zealand took the lead early. Chris Wood set up Elijah Just inside the box, and Just volleyed it home. Some fans who oppose Iran’s government celebrated right alongside New Zealand supporters. Many of those anti-regime fans carried the Lion and Sun flag, which was Iran’s national flag before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Several of them also booed Iran’s national anthem before kickoff.
But most of the 70,000 fans in the stadium were firmly behind Team Melli. They chanted “Ir-ran! Ir-ran!” and went wild when Ramin Rezaeian scored the equalizer just past the half-hour mark. The goal was significant because Rezaeian and several other Iranian players hadn’t played club football since February. The Iranian domestic league was suspended because of US and Israeli airstrikes on the country.
New Zealand went back in front early in the second half. Wood slipped a precise pass to Just, who hammered it home for his second goal of the night. But Iran responded again ten minutes later. Rezaeian delivered a perfect cross, and Mohammad Mohebbi headed it in off the far post. The game finished 2-2.
The draw means everyone in Group G has one point after Belgium and Egypt also tied 1-1 earlier in the day. New Zealand are still looking for their first-ever World Cup win. They’ve now played seven matches at the tournament and haven’t won a single one. Iran, on the other hand, are trying to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
FAQs
Q. Why were Iran upset after the draw with New Zealand?
A. Iran were ordered to leave Los Angeles immediately after the match.
Q. What did Amir Ghalenoei say about Iran’s situation?
A. The Iran coach said his team was “the most oppressed” at the World Cup.
Q. What was the final score between Iran and New Zealand?
A. Iran and New Zealand played out a 2-2 draw in their Group G World Cup match.
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