IRAN STUN WALES AT WORLD CUP AS ENGLAND TARGET LAST 16
DOHA: Iran scored twice deep in stoppage time to stun Wales 2-0 on Friday and breathe new life into a World Cup campaign overshadowed by mass anti-government protests at home.
Iran’s players sang the national anthem before the Group B clash, having opted not to in their opener in Qatar, and were worthy winners against a Wales side reduced to 10 men when goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey received the first red card of the World Cup.
Iran, who would have been eliminated with defeat, then punished Gareth Bale’s Wales in the eighth minute of injury time through substitute Rouzbeh Cheshmi’s powerful drive.
The Iranians sent their thousands of fans at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium wild when Ramin Rezaeian clipped in a second goal on the counter-attack.
There were emotional scene as Iran’s players and staff, including their Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, embraced on the pitch and took in the acclaim of their supporters.
Mehdi Taremi, the team’s star striker, paid tribute to Iran’s fans afterwards.
“Thank you to our supporters, they helped us all the time,” said Taremi, who was cut down by Hennessey when the goalkeeper came haring out of his goal.
“We need those supporters to support us like always,” added Taremi, whose side will reach the last 16 if they win their politically charged clash with the United States on Tuesday.
“Even those who are in Iran behind their TV, we need their positive energy.
“We have a dream and we want to give that dream a chance.”
Iran were thumped 6-2 by England in their opening match and beforehand had stood impassively during their national anthem in an apparent gesture of solidarity with antigovernment protesters in the Islamic republic.
Iran has been shaken by two months of nationwide protests since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in morality police custody on September 16.
Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian of Kurdish origin, died three days after her arrest in Tehran over an alleged breach of the dress code for women, which includes the mandatory hijab headscarf.