Despite disconnected with families back home due to war, Iran’s women football team played their heart out in their second match against Australia

The Group A contest between Australia and Iran of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 was confined to the mid-field. In the one-sided contest on Thursday in Gold Coast, home team Australia comfortably walked away with 4-0 win as the match was precisely played in Iran’s half. If Australia won the match, Iranian women’s team won hearts with their courageous display.

Iran had lost their first Group A match 0-3 against South Korea. Iran is the only team from the Middle East to qualify for the AFC Women’s Asia Cup. Iran will play Philippines in their last Group match in Perth on Sunday.

With Thursday’s victory Australia advanced to quarter-finals and will face Korea in their next match on Sunday.

Iran’s keeper Maryam Yektaei played a stellar role in Thursday’s match. She kept the Australia forward line at bay till the opening 27 minutes.  Despite hurting her shoulder and later head in the additional time, she made brilliant saves under the bar to contain the Australian team and restricting their margin of victory.

The spotlight has been on Iran’s national women’s football after assassination of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week. In their opening match against South Korea on Monday, Iran’s team refused to sing their national anthem and remained silent. On Thursday, they sang their national anthem before the start of the match against Australia.

EOM