On a cold winter afternoon in Wellington, dozens gathered at the Four Kings sports bar to watch New Zealand’s football team, the All Whites, take on Iran.
The politics and hostilities surrounding Iran’s World Cup opener may have dominated attention in the lead up to the match, but in New Zealand, fans on both sides turned out for one reason: the love of the game.
“It’s hugely significant,” said Andy Brown. “It’s all about football, it’s the World Cup and how good is it to see New Zealand there now? I saw them in 82 as a young’n and I can’t believe its happening again.
New Zealand are the lowest ranked team in the competition, sitting at No 85 according to Fifa, compared to world No 21 Iran.
It was an electrifying match – Iran and New Zealand slugged it out under the global spotlight, the match ending in a 2-2 draw that had supporters on both sides coiled with anticipation until the final moments.
“I just want to see them do well,” said Iran supporter Arman who wished to give his first name only, adding his team had faced a huge amount of pressure.
“I’m a huge football fan and I know its very polarised and there are emotions and strongly held opinions – I think its really unfortunate, the players and the team suffer a lot. They’re not the ones responsible for human rights abuses.
“I don’t judge anyone over how they relate to it but I know that for me and others, [football] is something that is an escape and a beautiful moment.”
For the first time in World Cup history, a host nation has received a country with which it is at war and the buildup to the match was mired in tension. Many Iranians and diaspora communities have described feeling torn over the team’s participation in the competition, due to the war with the US and Israel, and the perception the national team is connected to the regime. Some have described upset over Fifa’s rules barring political flags inside the stadium, which was upheld on Monday.
In the US, Iranians turned out to protest against the match. In New Zealand, the response was more muted.
“Given the diversity of views within the Iranian community, it is understandable that there has not been much organised activity,” said Aida Tavassoli, the co-founder of the Iranian Solidarity Network Aotearoa New Zealand.
Some wished to support the players and distinguish them from the regime, while others boycotted the match in protest against the Islamic Republic, Tavassoli said.
The political backdrop did not quell the enthusiasm at the Four Kings on Wednesday. The crowd erupted into cheers of joy and groans of despair as Iran and New Zealand traded goals in the first half.
When early into the second half, Eli Just became the first New Zealand player to score twice in a World Cup match, the noise from the bar might have broken the sound barrier. The jubilant mood was quickly dashed when Mohammad Mohebis scored Iran’s second goal moments later.
As the game drew to a close and a draw was confirmed, those in the bar clapped – the mood a mix of resignation and relief. In the minutes afterwards, an All Whites supporter approached Arman to shake his hand.
“That was painful,” Arman told the Guardian. “I was going bald watching that.
“We didn’t lead at all … we didn’t lose but I have high expectations and standards for the team. We should have won.”
Stan, an All Whites supporter, was elated for his team. “It was an incredibly evenly matched game – both teams had a great attitude, were playing to win, taking chances – a great game of football.”
Stan said he felt for the Iranians having to play “inside the belly of the beast”, surrounded by Americans and off the back of travel and visa issues, but it had levelled the playing field for the New Zealand side.
“For a New Zealander – for us to play so well in a World Cup and come within a sniff of winning – was amazing.”