Matildas swap jerseys with Iran after Gold Coast match
Matildas’ players have voiced their support and admiration for the Iran women’s team after their 4-0 win in the Asian Cup.
Australia’s players have voiced their support for Iran’s football team and noted their resilience as the war in the Middle East continues.
The Matildas swapped jerseys with their opponents after the hosts’ 4-0 win in the Women’s Asian Cup clash at the Gold Coast on Thursday night.
Pre-match, the players had sung the Iranian national anthem and saluted after electing not to do so before the loss to South Korea on Monday night.
Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari continues to inspire women in her country and said many were now following in her footsteps despite the uncertainty in her homeland
Jafari is one of the few Iranian women’s coaches at senior level and said the signs were good that her own path to the top would not be a rare one.
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The Iran team has been dealing with turmoil back home after the bombing of their country by the United States and Israel.
Jafari has been a rock for the team both on tour and with her work in Iran.
“In Iran, all the coaches who lead the women teams in our league and national teams are all female,” she said.
“I think it is very good that we let female coaches promote themselves.
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“For sure, they need the experience of high-level coaches beside them.”
Australia captain Sam Kerr, speaking after the win, spoke of her admiration for the Matildas’ opponents.
“We were aware that they were excited to play us and staying in the same hotel as us,” she said.
“It was a nice moment to share with them. They were so lovely on the pitch, and all of us swapped jerseys with them at the end.
“We obviously have a lot of respect for them and were trying to support and put an arm around them.”
Matildas playmaker Amy Sayer said the jersey swap was the least Australia’s players could do to show their support.
“I know that they’re having a tough time as well and at least it’s a nice memento for them to go back home to, if they’re able to,” Sayer said.
“I know they’re really struggling with the sort of interference from their government and everything but I hope they enjoyed the game.”
Before the match at Robina, around 50 anti-regime demonstrators voiced their support for the team and opposition to the theocratic rulers of Iran.
“We are here to support their emotions because they are under pressure and we are their voices in the Iranian diaspora,” Azin Naghibi told said.
-with AAP
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