LOS ANGELES, JUNE 16: Iran came from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw against New Zealand in their long-awaited opening game at the World Cup on Monday as European heavyweights Spain were frustrated in a shock stalemate by tiny tournament debutants Cape Verde.
After months of uncertainty surrounding their participation in the tournament following the war in the Middle East, all eyes were on the Iranians as they took on the New Zealanders in Group G at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium. Goals from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebbi secured a point for Iran after Elijah Just had twice fired New Zealand into the lead.
Afterwards Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei lashed out at the restrictions that have been placed on his team since arriving in North America.
The Iranians were initially due to be based in Tucson, Arizona before switching their training base to Tijuana in Mexico due to ongoing tensions with co-hosts the United States over visa issues.
US authorities have refused to grant visas for several members of the Iranian delegation, prompting Ghalenoei to describe Iran as "the most oppressed team in the World Cup." Ghalenoei said Iran had been told to leave the United States immediately after Monday's game.
"They delayed our arrivals, they are forcing us to go back early without time for recovery," Ghalenoei said. "They are making the situation more and more difficult, facing us with more hurdles, but we're not going to let that stop us from doing our best."
A few hours before Monday's opener, hundreds of protesters against Iran's ruling regime gathered outside the SoFi Stadium to vent their anger at Tehran's rulers.
"This team is not the Iranian people's team, it's the regime's team," said Ava Amin, a philosophy student who came to demonstrate with a banner calling for "regime change."
FIFA had warned that anyone carrying Iran's pre-revolutionary flag into the stadium would risk ejection under rules that forbid any kind of political messaging inside grounds.
However AFP reporters witnessed dozens of fans inside the stadium wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the banned flag, while other supporters openly displayed the flag, in violation of FIFA guidelines.
But there was no sign of any other significant protest against the Iranian team during the game, who were greeted by a roar from the crowd when they first appeared to warm up and enjoyed raucous support throughout.
Elsewhere Monday, European champions Spain one of the pre-tournament favourites for the title were stunned by African qualifiers Cape Verde who held them to a 0-0 draw. Spain had been expected to cruise past Cape Verde, playing in the tournament for the first time.
"The dream came true," Cape Verde's 40-year-old hero goalkeeper Vozinha told reporters. "We competed against Spain, one of the best teams in the world. We are very happy and proud of all the players and people of Cape Verde." �"AFP
