SEATTLE (AP) — An Iranian fan rushed the field to celebrate, requiring seven security guards to successfully bring him down.
Shoja Khalilzadeh took off his shirt before being mobbed by the entire Iran team after he fired past Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 93rd minute to give his side a 2-1 lead on Friday night.
For a few jubilant moments, Iran were convinced they had made it through to the knockout round World Cup for the first time in extended group with 48 teams in this year’s tournament.
However, the potential late winner was disallowed for offside, and Egypt progressed through the group stage.
Iran, meanwhile, will have to wait a day to find out their fate after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw. Egypt will play against Australia in the round of 32.
Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei complained about what was his team’s third goal ruled out by video review at the tournament.
“Technology is justice,” Ghalenoei said in Farsi, “But, I’m upset about our bad luck.”
At the end of what was promoted as a “Pride Match” in Seattle, in which neither Iran nor Egypt wanted to participateThe Pharaohs finished second in Group G. Belgium, who played a draw 1-1 against Egypt on June 15, beat New Zealand 5-1 in Vancouver, British Columbia to win the group.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan was grateful his side did not drop to third in the group, which would have happened had Khalilzadeh’s goal been disallowed.
“We knew we had already qualified, we were at the top of the group,” said Hossan. “I thank God for everything. After this goal was ruled out of play, I was very happy.”
Iran, meanwhile, could still advance to the knockout round for the first time in extended group with 48 teams in this year’s tournament. But they no longer control their own destiny after Friday’s game.
“We are here to make our history as well,” said midfielder Rouzbeh Cheshmi. “(On Saturday), if our dream comes true, thank God. If not, we’re proud of our game and our players because of the way we played the game. The last three games, we stayed, so let’s see what happens.”
Egypt took an early lead with Mahmoud Saber’s goal in the fifth minute. Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah produced a strong performance in the box before Saber fired between the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
Iran were denied an equalizer in the 11th minute when Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a penalty, but leveled the game in the 14th minute with Ramin Rezaeian’s goal.
After Iran came up just short, its players voiced their complaints about numerous off-field complications. The team has endured travel restrictions imposed by the US Department of Homeland Security in light of the the war in Iran.
In March, Iran asked to move the group stage matches to Mexico, with whom he has diplomatic ties. Her request to move her base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana was granted two weeks before the team’s arrival.
Ghalenoei said team members have been confined to their hotels and training facilities and have not explored Tijuana in any capacity. Several team officials and support staff members have been banned from traveling to the US with the team.
“We have no cure, we have no logistics people here to help us. We always complain about these things, but no one helps us – no one,” said Roozbeh Cheshmi. “As you know, recovery is an important thing. Small details affect football.”
For the first two games, near Los Angeles, the team was not allowed to travel until the day before and had to return to Mexico immediately after each game. of The US then eased its restrictions, allowing the team to travel to Seattle two days before Friday’s game.
Ghalenoei said the team still had to fly to Tijuana immediately after Friday’s game.
“We were treated very, very badly,” Ghalenoei said. “I hope the world becomes aware of these issues.”
If only for a brief period of time, Iran’s disdain showed after Khalilzadeh’s near miss. Iran didn’t end Friday’s match with a storybook finish, but it is still alive in the tournament – at least for another 24 hours.
“What these young players of the Iranian national team have done should go down in history,” Ghalenoei said. “Why? Because the host treated us in the worst possible way.”
By ANDREW DESTIN AP Sports Writer
AP freelance writer Mark Moschetti contributed to this report.
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