Category: Asia

Tensions flare as U.S. Soccer alters Iran flag on social media ahead of World Cup match

Iran officials reacted angrily to the gesture from U.S. Soccer

AL-RAYYAN, Qatar – An already-contentious occasion with massive stakes got even spicier for the U.S. men’s national team on Sunday, as a social-media squabble turned up the heat on Tuesday’s must-win World Cup match versus Iran.Fierce, women-led street protests have rumbled on in Iranian streets for weeks, with the nation’s hardline Islamic government responding with violent crackdowns that have reportedly killed hundreds and led to thousands of arrests. Amid that backdrop, U.S. Soccer officials decided to show support for Iran’s human-rights activists by using an Iranian flag without the Emblem of Iran on the USMNT’s Twitter header and some social-media posts.The emblem was added to the flag’s center after the Iranian Revolution of 1979; it is a stylized depiction of the word Allah that represents the phrase “There is no god but God” and has become associated with the country’s fundamentalist religious leadership.“The intent of the post was to show support for women’s rights, it was meant to be a moment,” said USMNT press officer Michael Kammarman at a Sunday media availability at the team’s Al-Gharafa training base. “We made the posts at the time, all the other representations of the flag remain consistent, and will continue to.”

The flag on the USMNT’s Twitter header was soon adjusted to reflect the official Iranian flag and the social-media posts have been taken down amid rapid blowback. Iranian officials and state-associated media have reacted with anger, accusing USSF of removing God from their flag and attempting to disrupt their national team before a crucial game for both sides.

“We know that this game isn’t isn’t played in a bubble,” said U.S. defender Tim Ream. “There are a lot of things that happen around the world and people want our opinions, but our opinion is that we want to play the game. And the game is for everyone. And that’s what we’re focused on.”U.S. Soccer officials had consulted with Iranian experts on the gesture of support, but did not inform USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter or his players before posting the images of the altered flag.“We’re huge supporters of women’s rights,” said USMNT defender Walker Zimmerman. “We didn’t know anything about the post, but we are supporters of women’s rights. We always have been. We’re focused a lot on Tuesday from the sporting side as well, so you [a reporter] mentioned it’s a distraction. I think this is such a focused group on the task at hand. But at the same time we empathize, and we are firm believers in women’s rights and support them.”

Iran’s players refused to sing their country’s national anthem ahead of their World Cup opener against England, in solidarity with protesters back home.

The USMNT are on two points and must win Tuesday’s match at Al Thumama Stadium to advance to the World Cup’s knockout phase, while Iran enter with three points and need only a draw to advance. The game is a redux of the nations’ meeting at the 1998 World Cup in France, where Iran won 2-1 amid similar political tensions owing to their tangled history over the decades.

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Maybe that USMNT September window wasn’t so bad after all

By the transitive property, the U.S. is better than Argentina!

The alarm bells were ringing after the U.S. national team had a dire September window, losing to Japan and drawing Saudi Arabia in two dismal performances.

In retrospect, maybe that window wasn’t quite as bad as we all thought.

Early in the 2022 World Cup there have been two major shocks, both involving the USMNT’s September opponents.

First, there was the shock of all shocks: Saudi Arabia beat pre-tournament favorite Argentina 2-1 on Tuesday in one of the more stunning results in World Cup history.

Then on Wednesday there was a slightly less surprising, but still eye-opening result in the opening match of Group E.

Germany was rampant in the first half against Japan, and got on the scoresheet through an İlkay Gündoğan penalty. The favored Europeans had a host of chances to put away the Japanese, but couldn’t capitalize.

Then, in eight dramatic second-half minutes, the game turned on its head.

Ritsu Doan equalized for Japan off a rebound in the 75th minute, before Takuma Asano won the game in the 83rd minute with an outstanding first touch and near-post finish to catch a sleeping German defense off a long free kick.

To be clear, the USMNT did play quite poorly in September, and after a disappointing opening-game draw against Wales, it’s far from a certainty that Gregg Berhalter’s men are significantly better than it seemed two months ago.

But Japan and Saudi Arabia may, in fact, be quite a bit better than we all thought heading into those two friendlies.

If the U.S. takes nothing else from this World Cup, their draw with Saudi Arabia now means they are (judging strictly by the transitive property) better than Argentina. Now that’s progress!

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Handsome Herve Renard and Saudi Arabia stun Argentina in all-time World Cup upset

Argentina had Messi, but the Saudis had skill, savvy and a hot coach on their side

You wouldn’t necessarily have blamed Argentina for overlooking Saudi Arabia in their World Cup opener.

After all, the Albiceleste were riding a 36-game unbeaten run and were tipped as one of the favorites to win the whole thing. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, came in ranked 51st in the world, having only advanced past the World Cup group stage once in its history, in 1994.

But on Tuesday, the impossible happened in one of the most stunning results in World Cup history: Saudi Arabia 2, Argentina 1.

It all started normally enough when Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina with a 10th-minute penalty. From there, Argentina would’ve expected to kick on and hammer their overmatched foe.

But, despite a myriad of chances, the Argentines were unable to find a second goal. And at the start of the second half, Saudi Arabia hit its opponent with a stunning one-two punch: Saleh al-Shehri scored in the 48th minute and Salem al-Dawsari scored a stunner five minutes later.

The Saudis hung on from there to secure what will almost certainly be the biggest upset of this World Cup on just the third day of play.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts disappointed during the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

The result was a major feather in the cap for Hervé Renard, Saudi Arabia’s well traveled and extremely handsome French head coach.

Renard has fashioned himself as a tournament specialist during his coaching career, leading a host of Asian and African teams to major success.

The 54-year-old led Zambia to a shocking triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, before leading Ivory Coast to the title in the same competition three years later.

Renard then took over Morocco after a brief stint in club management with Lille, leading the African nation to the 2018 World Cup, the first time it had qualified for the tournament in 20 years.

Even amid a host of other accomplishments, Tuesday’s win over Argentina stands out for Renard, who is becoming known worldwide for far more than just his stunning features.

Watch Saudi Arabia stun Argentina

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England reminds Group B rivals they are all playing for second place

The Three Lions destroyed Iran 6-2 in their World Cup opener

England made a major statement in its World Cup opener, hammering Iran 6-2 to lay down a marker in Group B.

The Three Lions were always favored to finish atop a group that also includes the U.S. and Wales, but the emphatic nature of their win on Monday underlined their status as the class of their World Cup group.

It was England’s young stars who shined the brightest at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, with 19-year-old Jude Bellingham opening the scoring with a header before 21-year-old Bukayo Saka scored a brace in his first World Cup game.

After reaching the semifinal of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, England entered the 2022 World Cup as one of the favorites and its performance against an overwhelmed Iranian side did nothing to dispel that notion.

Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford would also get on the scoresheet in a comprehensive win.

The only downside for England came in the second half, when defender Harry Maguire was forced off with a suspected head injury.

But the four-goal margin of victory set England on course to finish atop Group B, with goal differential as the first tiebreaker. Next up for the Three Lions is a showdown with the USMNT on Friday, which will be followed by a match against Wales on November 29.

Watch Bellingham and Saka’s goals vs. Iran

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Iran players refuse to sing national anthem amid protests at home

The expression was seen as a sign of solidarity with protesters back home

Iran’s players refused to sing their country’s national anthem ahead of their World Cup opener against England, seemingly in solidarity with anti-government protests back home.

Protests in Iran continue after the September death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who had been detained by the country’s morality police for failing to properly wear a hijab.

Reports have stated that hundreds of Iranians have been killed as the government has cracked down on demonstrations that have now been ongoing for two months.

In September, Iran star Sardar Azmoun said he stood with the protesters and even insisted he would be willing to risk banishment from the national team.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s game, Iran defender Ehsan Hajsafi expressed his solidarity with the protesters.

“They should know that we are with them. And we support them. And we sympathize with them regarding the conditions,” Hajsafi told a news conference.

“We have to accept the conditions in our country are not right and our people are not happy,” he added. “We are here, but it does not mean we should not be their voice or we should not respect them.”

On the FS1 broadcast, Ian Darke also reported that many Iran fans booed the anthem.

Watch Iran’s national anthem before England game

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Let’s bask in some good World Cup injury news for a change

Son Heung-min will be in Qatar. Phew!

There has been plenty of bad news on the injury front recently, as the countdown to the World Cup moves into its final two weeks.

On Wednesday alone, Reece James was ruled out for England while Senegal star Sadio Mané appears to be very much in doubt after an injury suffered with Bayern Munich. The previous day, it was CONCACAF duo Chris Richards and Tecatito that saw their World Cup hopes end.

With that in mind we should take every opportunity to celebrate the rare bit of good news, which Son Heung-min thankfully provided on Wednesday.

Son suffered a fracture around his left eye earlier this month with Tottenham, leaving his status for the World Cup very much in doubt after he underwent surgery.

But the South Korea star took to Instagram on Wednesday to reassure nervous fans that he is set to take part in the tournament in Qatar.

“Hi everyone. I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you all for the messages of support I have received over the last week,” Son wrote.

“I have read so many of them and truly, truly appreciate you all. In a tough time I received a lot of strength from you! Playing for your country at the World Cup is the dream of so many children growing up, just as it was one of mine too. I won’t miss this for the world. I can’t wait to represent our beautiful country, see you soon.”

South Korea will open the World Cup against Uruguay on November 24, and will also face Portugal and Ghana in Group H.

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Former Whitecaps and Japan striker Masato Kudo dies at 32

The striker spent the 2016 season in MLS with the Whitecaps

Former Vancouver Whitecaps and Japan national team striker Masato Kudo has died at age 32.

Kudo’s team Tegevajaro Miyazaki confirmed the news in a statement, with the Whitecaps releasing a statement of their own later on Friday.

“Kudo was loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was kind, gracious, and his smile would light up the room,” the Whitecaps statement said.

“A Japanese international who represented his national team, Kudo joined Whitecaps FC for the 2016 MLS season.

“In-between his time in MLS, the striker played in his native Japan for Kashiwa Reysol, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Renofa Yamaguchi FC, and most recently Tegevajaro Miyazaki, as well as in Australia with Brisbane Roar.

“Whitecaps FC offer our condolences to Kudo’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

According to Tegevajaro Miyazaki, Kudo had been in the ICU since Monday after complications from brain surgery on October 11.

Kudo earned four caps for Japan during his career and played one season in MLS with the Whitecaps before moving back to his home country with Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Iran star Sardar Azmoun could miss World Cup with torn calf muscle

The forward faces a race against time to be fit for the tournament in Qatar

Iran forward Sardar Azmoun could be set to miss the World Cup with a torn calf muscle.

Bayer Leverkusen announced this week that Azmoun would be out between six and eight weeks after he suffered the injury during warm-ups ahead of Leverkusen’s Champions League match against Porto on Tuesday.

Iran faces England on November 21 to kick off its World Cup campaign, seven weeks after Azmoun suffered the injury. Following the England match, Iran will face Wales on November 25 and the U.S. on November 29.

The striker’s fitness will be vital to Iran’s World Cup hopes. The 27-year-old is one of his country’s biggest attacking threats, scoring 41 goals from his 65 international appearances.

Azmoun joined Leverkusen in January from Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg. He has scored one goal in 17 Bundesliga appearances so far.

The forward has also been in the news recently for showing solidarity with protesters in Iran, a move he admitted could see him kicked off the national team.

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Iran national team shows solidarity with protesters at home

Amid unrest at home, Iran’s players are refusing to stay silent

While Iran’s national team prepares to take part in the World Cup, events back home have captured the world’s attention.

The country has been engulfed by protests after the death on September 13 of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who had been detained by the country’s morality police for failing to properly wear a hijab.

While questions swirl over Amini’s death, protests over women’s rights and Iran’s difficult political and economic situations have spread all over the country. Reports suggested that at least 70 people have been killed after the hard-line government cracked down on the protesters.

Amid this backdrop, Iran faced Senegal in a friendly on Tuesday just outside of Vienna, Austria.

Iran’s federation opted to play the match behind closed doors to minimize the potential of protests, but there were still protesters that showed up outside the stadium.

People stage a protest over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini ahead the friendly football match between Senegal and Iran in Moedling, Austria on September 27, 2022. (Photo by JAKUB SUKUP / AFP)

Before the game, Iran’s players stood for their national anthem wearing jackets that covered up the country’s colors and badge, a subtle but significant show of support for the protesters back home.

Azmoun stands with protesters

One of the most significant displays of support from Iran’s national team came from Sardar Azmoun, one of the team’s best players.

The Bayer Leverkusen forward posted and then deleted an Instagram story where he strongly stood up for protesters in Iran, even going as far as to say his support would be worth banishment from the national team if necessary.

“The ultimate [punishment] is to be kicked out of the national team, which is a small price to pay for even a single strand of Iranian women’s hair. Shame on you for easily killing the people and viva women of Iran. Long live Iranian women!” he wrote.

Last week, Iranian player Zobeir Niknafs posted an Instagram video in which he shaved his head in solidarity with the protesters.

There are much bigger questions than what will happen to Iran’s national team, but the fate of players who speak out is significant all the same. Will the likes of Azmoun and Niknafs be punished? And will Iranian players plan any kind of protest when the World Cup kicks off in two months?

If Iran’s government was hoping its most visible athletes would back down, it appears that they will be disappointed.

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