Australia midfielder Amy Sayer has hailed the courage of Iran’s women’s soccer team for competing in the Asian Cup while their homeland faces war.
Iran are to face Australia in their second group-stage match on Thursday on the Gold Coast, following a 3-0 defeat to South Korea on Monday.
Despite the one-sided score, the Iranians delivered a spirited performance under difficult circumstances, playing after the US and Israel attacked Iran.
Photo: EPA
“Our heart goes out to them and their families, it’s a difficult situation and it’s really brave of them to be able to be here and to perform,” Sayer said on Tuesday.
“They played last night and they put on a really strong performance, even with the political climate that’s going on and the struggles that they might be going through,” she said.
“We’re excited and looking forward to the game on Thursday ... The best we can do to contribute is to just give them the best game of football that we’re able and to show them the respect on the field,” Sayer said.
“Hopefully the situation improves and they can keep staying safe in Australia,” she said.
Iran’s players stood respectfully during their national anthem before the South Korea match, but remained silent throughout its duration.
Iranian players and head coach Marziyeh Jafari declined to comment on the situation or the death of their long-serving leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on Saturday.
“They are another team in the tournament and you don’t want to give them any space in order to give away any competitive advantage, regardless of the situation,” Sayer said.
“Of course, we are all kind humans, and we can give them a ‘hello’ and a ‘good luck’ to wish them well.”
The 24-year-old Sayer is expected to have a larger role in Thursday’s match, following a substitute appearance in Australia’s 1-0 win over the Philippines on Sunday.
Taiwan’s Lee Hao-yu on Friday went 0-for-3 in his MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, becoming the 19th Taiwan-born player to reach the big leagues. The Tigers ultimately lost 1-0 in 10 innings, ending their six-game winning streak. The 23-year-old started at third base and batted eighth for Detroit. He was promoted from Triple-A Toledo ahead of the four-game series against the Red Sox at the latter’s home stadium, replacing injured utility player Zach McKinstry. “Being right-handed, and given our schedule, I think six of the next 12 games are going to
Matheus Cunha on Saturday fired Manchester United toward the UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 win at Chelsea, while Tottenham Hotspur remain in the relegation zone after twice blowing the lead to draw with Brighton & Hove Albion. Chelsea failed to take advantage of a United defense ravaged by injury and suspension as a fourth straight league defeat for the Blues left their Champions League hopes in ruins. United have missed out on the riches of Europe’s elite competition for the past two seasons, but are closing in on a return thanks to an upturn in fortunes under interim manager
Italian soccer is at its lowest ebb in nearly 40 years after a wholesale European exodus at club level followed the nation’s failure for the third successive time to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, and compounded a leadership and structural crisis. The exits suffered by Bologna and ACF Fiorentina on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League respectively meant no Italian teams are left in European competition this season. Italy’s last remaining UEFA Champions League contenders, Atalanta BC, went out in the round of 16 last month. It is the first time since the 1986-1987 campaign that Italian clubs
The Detroit Tigers’ Lee Hao-yu on Monday collected his first and second MLB hits in their 8-6 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers’ No. 6 prospect, who batted eighth, had an RBI single and a double in four at-bats at Fenway Park, raising his batting average to .182. “He was super thrilled to get his first hit,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said after the game. “There’s only one first, you know, and for him, it’s been a couple of games where he’s really been wanting to do it. I’m glad he did it here.” “Young guys settle in when they start
RSS