Iran Women’s double friendlies called off
Iran’s preparations for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia have suffered a significant blow after two scheduled friendlies against Uzbekistan and Belarus were canceled.
“We had held talks with Uzbekistan and Belarus, and both had agreed in principle to either play in Iran or host us. The matches were scheduled for one week before our departure for the Asian Cup, but currently, neither option is feasible,” Farideh Shojaei, the head of women’s football at the Iranian Football Federation, told ISNA.
The official did not specify the reason for the cancellations, but it is believed to be driven by the escalating regional tensions and recent unrest in the country.
Team Melli Baanovan will begin its Group A campaign at the Asian Cup against South Korea – runner-up to China in the 2022 final – on March 2. They will then face the formidable hosts Australia, who reached the semifinals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, in Gold Coast three days later.
Iran will conclude the group stage against the Philippines, which reached the semifinals in the previous edition, on March 8.
The top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-place finishers, will advance to the quarterfinals.
Iran made its Women’s Asian Cup finals debut in 2022, exiting at the group stage after comprehensive defeats against nine-time champion China (7-0) and the Chinese Taipei (5-0).