With peace from Persia

By Nashwa Abdel-Tawab

The game was played on a symbolic day. Not only was it FIFA's Fair Play Day, it was also the day when Iranian ex-President Ayatollah Khomeini ordered the killing of 1,500 members of the opposition.

The match, watched by a crowd of 44,000, had none of the hostility that has characterised US-Iran relations for almost 20 years. In a gesture symbolising peace, the Iranian team presented flowers to the American players just before kick-off. The two sides also took group photos together.

Urs Meier from Switzerland refereed the match because of his known fairness and the political neutrality of his country.

The Iranians, with no yellow cards before the game, received the two yellow cards that were dished out.

The Americans, who did not play an attacking game until it was too late in their first match against Germany, this time round attacked from the very start. They had three good shots that hit the woodwork. Iran's first goal came in the 40th minute of the first half when Hamid Estili sent in a powerful header from Javad Zarincheh's cross. "I scored the most important goal of my career," Estili said. "I hope we shall win our last group game against Germany to book a place in the second round."

The second goal, scored in the 86th minute by 20-year-old midfielder Mehdi Mahdaviki, came from a dangerous counter-attack.

Brian McBride scored for the Americans during a goalmouth melee in the last minutes of the game.

"We achieved our aim of building a good attacking game," said US coach Steve Sampsom. "I'm proud of my team and I'd like to congratulate the Iranian team, which had a strong defence."

Iranian coach Jalal Talebi played down the victory against the Americans. "It was a big victory for the Iranian nation, not because it was the United States, but because it was [our] first [win] in the World Cup."

But for millions of Iranians who were reported to be dancing in the streets of Tehran after the win, it was more than just soccer.

Yet, Iran's victory on the pitch was undermined by some political goals scored by opposition supporters who attended the match. Although they wildly cheered the team, they also fanatically cheered the opposition party RAJAVI before and throughout the match.

Iranian team celebrating their victory against the United States last Sunday, while fans share in the celebrations out on the streets (photos: AFP)

"I was amazed to see this great number of Iranian fans and was stunned by their political outbursts," said coach Talebi. "But my players and I didn't hear [anything] except Iran. Politics is behind [us] and shouldn't be here."

But one RAJAVI supporter could not accept that. "We want this to be a political message to the whole world and to Iran that we want freedom," he said. "We want RAJAVI."

Earlier last week, there had been tension when the private French channel six broadcast an American film, Not Without My Daughter, in which an Iranian married to an American woman tries to force her into the closed Iranian way of life. After seeing all kinds of "unbelievable colours of terror" there, she decides to flee with her daughter. "Regardless of the true situation in Iran, the decision to televise this film a week ahead of our match against America is bad," said coach Talebi. "Those who did this wanted to arouse feelings of contempt against players who play for peace. Unfortunately some Iranian players watched the film and they were all very upset." But the the coach added that he had held open discussions with the players and "we agreed we were here to spread peace."

This was Iran's second appearance in the World Cup finals. They first played in 1978. They lost twice and drew once that time. Iran has won the Asian championship three times, in 1968, 1972 and 1976, but was yet to win a game at the World Cup finals.

The team qualified for France '98 after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Australia in Melbourne. They were 2-0 down with 20 minutes left, but they made a spirited comeback that saw them book a ticket to France on the away goals rule.

Tonight's match against Germany will be decisive for the Iranians. If they win -- and some say that's a big if -- they will be through to the second round for the first time.