INGLEWOOD, California (Reuters) – Iran twice came from behind to ​draw 2-2 with New Zealand in an exciting World Cup clash at Los Angeles Stadium on Monday, as protests ‌against Tehran’s government and a tentative agreement to end the US-Iran war formed a charged backdrop to the match.
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New Zealand took an early lead when Elijah Just volleyed home from inside the box after being set up by Chris Wood.
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The goal was celebrated by some fans critical of the Iranian government, many ​of whom carried Iran’s pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun flag. Some also booed Iran’s national anthem before kickoff.
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But most of the ​crowd of more than 70,000 appeared firmly behind Team Melli, chanting “Ir-ran! Ir-ran!” and erupting when Ramin Rezaeian â equalised shortly after the half-hour mark.
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Rezaeian, one of several Iran players who had not played club football since February after the domestic ​league was suspended amid US and Israeli airstrikes, reacted quickest to a shot blocked by a defender and poked the ball past the advancing ​goalkeeper.
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Wood and Just combined again early in the second half, the New Zealand captain sliding a precise pass into the 26-year-old forward’s path before Just hammered home to restore the All Whites’ lead.
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Iran responded 10 minutes later with a super goal from Mohammad Mohebbi, who headed Rezaeian’s perfect cross in off the ​far post to make it 2-2.
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Iran created better chances leading up to the final whistle but were unable to find a winner ​as the sun set over Southern California.
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GROUP G ALL SQUARE
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The stalemate means all the teams in Group G have one point after Belgium drew 1-1 with Egypt ‌earlier â on Monday.
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New Zealand, making their third appearance at the finals, remain without a win at a World Cup after seven matches. Iran are looking to reach the knockout round for the first time.
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“We’re disappointed to not win,” New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley said.
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“When you’re leading twice in a game you come away with that what if. We were probably as close as we’ve ever been to winning a game ​at the World Cup and ​we couldn’t quite do that â today.
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“But we’re in the World Cup, we didn’t lose, we stayed in the game, scored goals and created chances, so it was a really strong performance I’m really proud of.”
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PROTESTERS CALL OUT IRANIAN GOVERNMENT
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The ​match laid bare divisions among Iranian American fans, many of whom said they felt torn between ​pride at seeing â Iran on the sport’s biggest stage, anger over Tehran’s crackdown on protesters and concern over Washington’s bombing campaign.
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Los Angeles is home to the world’s largest Iranian diaspora and before kickoff, about 300 to 500 protesters gathered outside the stadium, waving anti-government signs and flags.
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Some Iranian Americans said attending â the match ​would imply support for Iran’s government, while others said they wanted to set ​politics aside and support the players.
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Iran, who moved their base camp from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, where they have been warmly received, will return to Los Angeles to face ​Belgium on Sunday when New Zealand take on Egypt in Vancouver.
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