Iran begin fraught FIFA World Cup with 2-2 New Zealand draw

Iran twice battled back for a 2-2 draw with New Zealand on Monday in their frenetic opening match of a World Cup campaign that has been overshadowed by war, politics and protests. The Iranian team’s very presence at the Los Angeles Stadium had long felt uncertain, after months of military conflict between their nation and the United States. At last able to focus on the football, the Iran players twice found themselves trailing to the tournament’s lowest-ranked team, thanks to goals from New Zealand striker Elijah Just. But with a vocally pro-Iran crowd drowning out planned protests by anti-government demonstrators, equalisers from Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi spared Team Melli any further blushes. The Iran team have dealt with a gamut of obstacles before even arriving at this World Cup, from delayed and refused US visas, to moving their training camp to Mexico at the last minute. Hundreds of protesters against Iran’s ruling regime demonstrated outside the venue on Monday, saying the team does not represent their people. Many inside the stadium sported anti-government emblems, nonchalantly flouting FIFA rules against political messaging, and the Iran anthem received boos and cheers. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei had insisted on the eve of the game his players would not “pay attention to any of the hype”. But his side was stunned by an early New Zealand goal on the counter created by veteran striker Chris Wood. Collecting a long pass in the seventh minute, the Nottingham Forest target man expertly held up the ball, turned and played in the onrushing Elijah Just. After a sharp exchange of passes with Sarpreet Singh and Wood, Just leapt and smashed a volley into the net. Iran’s star forward Mehdi Taremi nearly levelled in the 23rd minute, the former Inter Milan man’s long-range effort ricocheting off the right post. They came close again as Kiwi keeper Max Crocombe was tackled outside his box, only able to watch as a lobbed effort at his open goal faded wide. Iran’s e