Unbeaten World Cup start will be remembered in history: Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei

INGLEWOOD – Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei believes his team’s unbeaten start to the World Cup will be written in their footballing history after a turbulent build-up marked by war-related disruption, travel complications and limited preparation.

Iran followed their opening 2-2 draw against New Zealand with another point on June 21, holding Belgium to a 0-0 draw at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, meaning both sides are on two points in Group G. Egypt top the group on four points after their 3-1 comeback win over the Kiwis, who are bottom on one point.

Ten-man Belgium dominated possession but could not break down a disciplined Iranian defence, with goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand producing a string of saves to preserve the result. Iran also threatened on the counter and came close to snatching victory.

Ghalenoei said the result had to be viewed in the context of the difficulties his squad had faced over the past six months.

“I want to go back six months,” he told reporters.

“We were in war conditions for six months. We didn’t have our league operating.”

The coach said visa delays, travel restrictions and cancelled friendlies had severely disrupted preparations, with players split between those based inside and outside the country.

“Many teams cancelled the games they would play against us. We came to the World Cup in the worst conditions possible,” he said.

Iran had less than 16 hours of training before facing Belgium and continue to face demanding travel schedules during the tournament, with the team due to return to their base in Mexico’s Tijuana before preparing for their June 26 clash with Egypt in Seattle.

Despite those challenges, Ghalenoei said avoiding defeat in the opening two matches represented a landmark achievement.

“Playing without a loss in two games is a great achievement. It will be written in our footballing history,” he said.

“I don’t think any team in the world could have sustained such conditions and play like this.”

He reserved special praise for Beiranvand, calling him “one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of Iranian football” after the veteran’s seven-save performance earned Iran a valuable point.

“These players are giving everything and playing with their heart,” Ghalenoei said.

“The history and future generations will remember them.”

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia lamented his side’s wastefulness after the draw left the Group G favourites facing a final match against New Zealand to secure a place in the World Cup round of 32.

“We could have won by three goals against Iran but we weren’t efficient enough,” Garcia told reporters. “We had many attempts and when you don’t score, you don’t win a match.”

The 62-year-old Frenchman said his side had executed their game plan against an Iran team they expected to sit deep and look to strike on the counter-attack.

“We dominated, so tactically and in terms of the game plan we played as we wanted to play. But we were wasteful,” he said.

Belgium’s task became even harder when defender Nathan Ngoy, 23, was sent off midway through the second half for hauling down Mehdi Taremi as the Iran forward broke through on goal.

Garcia described the dismissal as an understandable mistake from a young player and praised the response of the rest of the team, who continued to push for a winner despite playing the final half-hour with 10 men. REUTERS