Iran’s beleaguered World Cup team finds hope with draw against Belgium
Iran plays Belgium to a scoreless draw at SoFi Stadium, moving to the cusp of advancing to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time.
Forced to relocate training and restricted in the U.S., Iran has turned adversity into resilience so far at the World Cup.
Belgium is in danger of once again failing to advance at the World Cup after being held scoreless in two matches.
As they say, Iran’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad World Cup got a lot better. Iran is in position to win its group and advance to the knockout rounds for the first time in seven World Cups.
To do that, it must beat Egypt on Friday in Seattle.
“We know how important that is, making history,” midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh said.
“It’s really in our control to do what we have to do. Firstly for our people back home and then for ourselves.”
Egypt makes history, records first ever win against New Zealand
Egypt now control Group G on four points, with Iran to come on Saturday in Seattle.
The Iranians are level with Belgium on two points, with the Europeans taking on New Zealand in Vancouver at the same time.
Still plenty to play out in a remarkably even group.
Disappointment for New Zealand, who threw away a lead for the third time this World Cup and are still searching for their maiden win at the finals.
But the lowest ranked team in North America simply ran out of steam in the second half and lacked the nous to work their way out of it.
That was a game of two halves in Vancouver.
The first belonged to New Zealand who found plenty of joy with their long ball game targeting the strength of Chris Wood and the industry of Eli Just and Callum McCowatt.
But after the interval Mohamed Salah moved infield, Emam Ashour became influential, and the Kiwis were unable to deny wave after wave of Egyptian pressure.
The stodgy ball movement of the first half was replaced by decisive attacking and it was no surprise when Mostafa Ziko headed them level and Salah sidefooted them ahead. Trezeguet sealed the deal unmarked from a corner.
The Third goal was a beauty of a header and as the saying goes - the better side wins.
ends
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