Iran face Asian Cup elimination after 4-0 loss to hosts Australia

Iran are facing elimination from the Asian Cup after a 4-0 loss to hosts Australia.

It was their second of the tournament after an opening 3-0 defeat to South Korea, who at 21st in the FIFA World Rankings, are several places above Iran in 68th.

Advertisement

With zero points at the bottom of Group A, a win in their final match against the Philippines would need to be by a significant margin to position the side as one of the best third-placed finishers. Qualification for the knockout stages is now unlikely, however, with a goal difference of -7.

Head coach Marziyeh Jafari said before the game, per translation from Reuters, that the national team will “do our best to concentrate on our soccer” despite the ongoing war in Iran.

Strikes from Israel and the United States on February 28, which killed the country’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has led to retaliatory conflict, causing more than 800 deaths.

Before the loss to South Korea, players did not sing the national anthem. While they did appear to do so against Australia, saluting as they sang, fan groups in the stadium held up ‘Lion and Sun’ flags, the state flag from before the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

Advertisement

Goals from Manchester City’s Mary Fowler, London City Lionesses’ Alanna Kennedy and Malmo’s Amy Sayer put Australia 3-0 up at the break in Thursday’s game, with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr having a strike disallowed. While Iran were let off the hook as a penalty they conceded in the second half was dismissed by the video assistant referee, another goal from Kennedy sealed the hosts’ second win in a row.

The Asian Cup is functioning as the penultimate stage of qualifying for the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Australia, Iran, Soccer, International Football, Women's Soccer, Asian Cup

2026 The Athletic Media Company

Click here to read article