IRAN LOST ITS DREAM FOR WORLD CUP
TEHRAN 15 Nov. (IPS) Iran lost its hope to enter the prestigious World Cup to be played next year in Japan and South Korea, beating Ireland one to nil.
Iran’s single goal was scored at the last minute, but changed nothing, as it needed to score at least three goals.
Playing in Dublin, Ireland had defeated Iran last week 2 to nil, dashing hopes of Iran for the World Cup.
The one hundred thousands Azadi (Freedom) stadium of Tehran was packed, thousands of people are following the game outside, listening to the radio, reporting live.
Iran’s bid for the Cup was actually lost after it was defeated by Bahrain 3 to 1, surprising everyone and giving place to rumours that the clerical authorities, fearing mass riots, had coerced Iranian players to "give up" the game to Persian Gulf Island-nation.
The astonishing defeat of the much superior Iranians at the hands of the Bahrain players led to wide-spread violence, opposing football fans to security forces who arrested more than 3.000 people in Tehran and other major Iranian cities, carrying slogans against the Islamic regime and it’s leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameneh’i.
To avert the repeat of violence, the authorities had deployed large units of security forces backed by Basij volunteers and revolutionary guards. ENDS IRAN END OF WORLD CUP DREAM 151101