In brief
- Iran will play the Matildas in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.
- Striker Sara Didar become visibly emotional when relaying concern for her nation and teammates' families.
- Australia coach Joe Montemurro says he wants his team to greet the Iranians "with human compassion".
Iranian striker Sara Didar fought back tears as she expressed hope that her country would remain "strongly alive" as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.
Ahead of Thursday's Women's Asian Cup group game against the Matildas on the Gold Coast, Didar spoke through an interpreter on Wednesday and welled up when she relayed her concern for her nation and her teammates' families.
Iran has experienced an internet blackout in the days following the US-Israeli assassination of the country's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the weekend, making contact between players in Australia and their families increasingly difficult.
"Obviously we're concerned and sad at what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran," Didar told reporters on the Gold Coast in Farsi.
"I really hope for our country to have good news ahead and I hope that my country will be strongly alive."
The 21-year-old then began to tear up as she heard the interpreter communicate her response in English before the striker made a rapid dash for the exit door.
Australia coach Joe Montemurro said he wanted his team to greet the Iranians "with human compassion" for a game where there is expected to be heightened police presence.
"We can't talk about what's happened, where they're from… all we can talk about is about us here in this beautiful tournament," Montemurro said.
"We want to give them the best tournament possible in terms of giving them the experience of a lifetime.
"For us, it's about just showing our human compassion, our respect and show them how beautiful we are as a country, and how beautiful we are as Australians."
Iran's players and head coach Marziyeh Jafari have declined to comment on the nation's political upheaval, although they did stage a protest of sorts by remaining silent through the national anthem prior to Monday's 3-0 loss to South Korea.
Some Iranian fans waved the flag of Imperial Iran during Monday's defeat at the hands of South Korea - the country's official flag prior to the toppling of the US-backed Shah in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
"We are so happy that Iranian-Australians here support us," Jafari said.
"Obviously we have so much concern for our families and our loved ones and all other people inside our country, which we are fully disconnected with.
"Here, we are coming to play football professionally and we will do our best to concentrate on the match ahead."
Iran's players were scheduled to train late on Wednesday as they face Australia for the time since the Matildas secured a 2-0 Olympic qualifying win over the Lionesses in 2023.
The two sides have shared a hotel on the Gold Coast this week and a win would give would secure Australia's passage to the Asian Cup knockout stages.
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