Iranian players react during their national anthem before the Women’s Asian Cup soccer match between Iran and the Philippines in Robina, Australia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP) GOLD COAST: Iran’s players sang the national anthem and saluted before bowing out of the Women’s Asian Cup with defeat in their final group game in Australia on Sunday.When Iran faced South Korea in their opening match on Monday, the players stood motionless, two days after the US and Israel went to war against the country.But in their second match against hosts Australia on Thursday, all the Iranian players saluted and sang the national anthem on the Gold Coast.
Exclusive: Aymeric Laporte previews Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona | La Liga
They chanted and saluted again on Sunday against the Philippines as rain lashed Queensland’s Gold Coast.They then lost 2-0, ending their hopes of progressing to the next round.No public reason was given for the players’ original stance on the pregame national anthem.Coach Marziyeh Jafari said her team was “so worried” for their families as the conflict raged and that the players felt “completely disconnected” from their loved ones.In an interview with national broadcaster ABC ahead of Sunday’s game, Foreign Minister Penny Wong was asked about the prospects of the team returning home.“What I want to say about the Iranian women’s team is that it was really moving for Australian women to see them in Australia,” she said.Wong added that seeing the Australian players exchange jerseys with their Iranian opponents was “a very evocative moment”.“He talked about solidarity and the way sport can bring us together,” she said.“We know that this regime brutally oppressed many Iranian women,” she added.Iran lost 3-0 to South Korea and 4-0 to Australia to finish bottom of Group A with nine goals conceded and none conceded.
