Iran women’s football team salute, sing national anthem in Asian Cup match

Players chose to sing the anthem before their game against Australia, in contrast to their silence in the previous tie.

Players of the Iranian women’s football team saluted and sang the country’s national anthem before their Asian Cup match against Australia after choosing to remain silent during it in their opening game earlier in the tournament.

Host Australia handed Iran a 4-0 drubbing in their second group game of the regional competition on a rain-soaked Thursday evening in Gold Coast, Australia.

Iran’s team and management, who have voiced fears and concerns for their families back home amid Iran’s ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, wore a stoic look and chose not to sing their national anthem in the game against South Korea on Monday.

However, they sang along to “Mehr-e Khavaran” (Eastern Sun) while rain poured down on them and sections of the crowd booed for the duration of the anthem prior to kickoff at the Robina Stadium.

Several spectators waved the pre-1979 Iranian flag as a protest against the current regime, while others displayed banners in favour of US President Donald Trump.