Barred from stadiums at home, Iran women travel to World Cup to find love
TEHRAN, Iran — It took long to learn of the women’s soccer team on the verge of a historic feat: a semifinal match at the World Cup in their home country. But for Aya, Mina and Faeh, the experience was worth the wait.
“I’ve been dreaming of this as a child,” said Mina, wearing a blue head scarf and earrings as a necklace. “In our society women are not allowed to express themselves and be happy.”
Faeh laughed. “The team is also important to me; the most important moment in my life,” she said.
Iran’s Aya Sajedi, center, and her teammates perform after the first half of their match in the semifinal at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France on Friday, June 17, 2018. Iran will play against England on Sunday, June 19, for a place in the finals. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Iran’s Aya Sajedi, left, and her teammates perform after the first half of their match in the semifinal at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France on Friday, June 17, 2018. Iran will play against England on Sunday, June 19, for a place in the finals. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Aya Sajedi poses for a photo during a ceremony awarding her with the Best Scorer of the TFF Women’s League 2017 in Tehran, Iran on Saturday, June 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Iran’s Aya Sajedi poses for a photo during a ceremony awarding her with the Best Scorer of the TFF Women’s League 2017 in Tehran, Iran on Saturday, June 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Iran’s Aya Sajedi, center, and her teammates perform after the first half of their match in the semifinal at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France on Friday, June 17, 2018. Iran will play against England on Sunday, June 19, for a place in the finals. (AP
