DUBAI // For Iranians, football has always been more than just a sport, it is a way to release their frustrations, forget about politics and daily worries and for 90 minutes just have fun.
Ask any Iranian about their favourite World Cup memory, and they will tell you it took place on June 21, 1998, when they beat USA 2-1. It also just so happened to be Iran’s first victory in a World Cup.
“My favourite match is Iran and USA,” said Sogol Yaraghi, 28, who owns and runs a restaurant in DIFC. “I lived in the US, I love New York and I wanted to support both teams. But this game was so emotional for Iranians, people were crying when we won.”
Despite that famous victory, Iran never made it past the group stages of the tournament, and the team’s chances of going further this time also look slim. .
“I remember watching the draw for the groups,” said Abdulreza Hanjanai, a 45-year-old businessman. “It was a very tense atmosphere, we were hoping to get the last group which looked to be so far the easiest of the lot, but it went to South Korea instead.
“Our only chance to win is against Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have no chance against Argentina and Nigeria, but I hope they win, it will be a happy dream and there is always hope. This year they have a difficult group, but it is easier than the groups we’ve had in previous years.”
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If the team pull off the unthinkable and make it out of their group, Ms Yaragh and her family could be on their way to Brazil courtesy of her football mad father.
“If we make it to the second round I will take the whole family to Brazil, I know people there and I can get tickets no problem,” said Victor Yaraghi. “We have a five per cent chance of making it, magic can happen.”
He is putting his faith in Iran’s coach and the squad’s five Europe-based players stars. “They can only make the team play better than last time. I just want them to play well and not let the national team down,” said Mr Yaraghi, although he is realistic.
“These teams have been preparing and training for years, we just started a few months ago. Magic can always happen and I hope it does, but let’s be realistic.”
He remembers how Iran qualified for the 1998 Wold Cup. “We were playing Australia, the first game we played in Iran and it was a draw 1-1. The second game we played in Australia and it was also a draw 2-2, but we won on aggregate.
“All I remember is that we needed more than one goal to make it to the World Cup. When we got that second goal it was like the whole country went crazy. All of Tehran were out in the street. Six million people were cheering and dancing, some on top of vans, and it kept going until about 3am.”
Ms Yaraghi got hooked on football as a child watching the 1994 World Cup in the USA on TV and the final between Italy and Brazil still sticks in her memory.
Neither team could score after 120 minutes, which meant a penalty shoot-out.
“The whole family were gathered watching the game, it was very exciting. Our family has strong ties to Brazil, we used to live there, so it had a very sensitive and emotional connection for us. I remember everyone screaming when Brazil won, that game made me a football fan.”
Her father was a skilful player in his youth and could have played for the national team. At 14 years old, Mr Yaraghi lead his team to the schools championship.
“At the final game one of Iran’s top players was in the audience, he came to see me after to congratulate me. He gave me an autographed ball, and told me I was very talented and would make the national team if I keep playing this well.
“But by 19 I started getting into trading and business, and I stopped football. Yes, I have some regrets. I had the talent to go and play in Europe maybe, and represent my country someday, but it was not meant to be.”
malkhan@thenational.ae
