Just three months ago, Iran was one of the biggest stories in football as Team Melli arrived at the World Cup to try to play in the US, a country that had been bombing and firing missiles at Tehran and other targets. A disallowed goal and a last-minute effort that hit the bar in the final group game against Egypt confirmed Iran’s group-stage exit – to the delight of some US officials – by the narrowest of margins. It also signalled the abrupt end of international attention.
This week there was a return, however, to international action as Esteghlal and Tractor SC started out in the AFC Champions League Elite. It comes after the Persian Gulf League kicked off in mid-August, almost six months after it was postponed at the end of February, and subsequently abandoned as the war continued. It was sad that football was suspended for such a long period and it will certainly weaken the sport and its passionate supporters.” Esteghlal were especially blue as the Tehran giants were top of the league when it stopped with 22 games of the 30 played, two points clear of Tractor.
It soon became clear that the season was never going to take place meaning that the 10-time winners feel they should be given number 11. This is also what Esteghlal fans want.” A decision is to be made soon. The majority of the other clubs seem to be against such a presentation, especially those owned by industrial companies such as the steel-backed pair Sepahan FC and Foolad, which have suffered during the war.
Whatever happens, Esteghlal have started pretty well in the new campaign. As has the league in general. There had been talk in the buildup that the games would be behind closed doors but most matches have had fans, with some decent crowds.
At the Tehran derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal, the biggest game in Iran (and many would argue the biggest in Asia), 50,000 fans were in the second city of Isfahan. The usual home of both teams, the capital’s renowned Azadi Stadium, is unavailable, not because of bombs and missile damage, though the wider sports complex has been hit, but because of continuing repairs. The money spent has become a hot topic and it seems nothing is ever simple in Iranian football even during times of relative peace.
Esteghlal may not have got the trophy yet but are representing the country in the AFC Champions League Elite and started with an impressive 3-0 win against the Qatari powerhouse Al-Sadd on Monday. It was even more impressive that the home game took place in the southern Iraqi city of Basra. Iranian clubs are accustomed to playing home games away.
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