The Matildas are preparing for a “stop-starty” game and an increased police presence at Gold Coast Stadium on Thursday, but commended Iran’s “really brave” appearance at the Asian Cup under difficult circumstances.
Iran lost their opening group-stage match 3-0 to South Korea on Monday night, a couple of days after Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed by the weekend’s US-Israeli rocket attacks that have also killed civilians in Iran.
The women’s national football team arrived in Australia last week amid an already precarious political situation and welfare concerns, with the country’s internet blackout making it near-impossible to contact players and staff.
So far, their build-up to their second major tournament has been marked by one of the most significant blows to the country’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari and her players have declined to speak about the situation, and media have been shut down by Asian Football Confederation officials. But the team offered their version of defiance just before Monday’s match, standing silently instead of singing as the state’s national anthem played before Iran’s clash with South Korea at Gold Coast Stadium.
Matildas playmaker Amy Sayer said she and the squad felt sympathy for the Iranian team and lauded them for continuing to play.
Amy Sayer during her cameo in Australia’s 1-0 win over the Philippines in Perth.Credit: Getty Images
“Our heart goes out to them and their families,” Sayer said. “It’s a difficult situation, and it’s really brave of them to be able to be here and to perform. They played last night and they put on a really strong performance.
“And even with the political climate that’s going on and the struggles that they might be going through, we’re excited and looking forward to the game on Thursday.
“The best we can do to contribute is to just give them the best game of football that we’re able to, show them the respect on the field and hopefully the situation improves and they can keep staying safe in Australia.”
The Matildas can also expect more Queensland Police at Thursday night’s second group game, also at Gold Coast Stadium, as authorities monitor the situation.
Fatemeh Amineh and Atefeh Imani during Iran’s opening match against Korea.Credit: Getty Images
“There’s probably a bit more logistics to worry about, but I think at the very least it just makes us feel safer,” Sayer said. “That’s mostly a question for AFC. I think the most important thing is securing the safety of us, other players, the whole tournament staff and all the people associated.”
Australia have played Iran before, for an Olympic qualifier in October 2023 in Perth. The Matildas won 2-0 as Iran utilised a low defensive block similar to the one employed by the Philippines in Sunday’s closer-than-expected 1-0 scoreline.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr expected a “very similar” encounter.
“A low block, hard to break down,” she said. “We expect that in the first two games, and then a totally different game with Korea … probably a low block and stop starty, kind of one of those games that you can barely get any flow.”
The two teams are sharing a hotel in the lead-up to their game.
“Whenever we do come across them we’ll be able to say a cordial ‘hello’ and be able to give them our words of sympathy,” said Sayer, who may play more minutes than her short shift off the bench against the Philippines.
“They are another team in the tournament, and you don’t want to give them any space … give away any competitive advantage, regardless of the situation. Of course, we are all kind humans and we can give them a ‘hello’ and a ‘good luck’ to wish them well.”
In positive news on Tuesday, Mackenzie Arnold appeared to be back in training mode as she monitors the calf tightness that sidelined the goalkeeper from Sunday’s opening game. And Kyra Cooney-Cross was spotted on the field for the first time this camp, having played minimal minutes for Arsenal since her mother’s cancer diagnosis over the Christmas break.
All 26 of the squad participated in the session’s warm-up at Pizzey Park.
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