2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar Match 2 - IRAN 🇮🇷

🇮🇷 IRAN (2 of 32)

21 November 2022 Match 2: England 6:2 Iran
📍 7 Kingdoms Bar, Sawtelle

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If you listened to any World Cup preview shows that talked about Group B, Iran was the country that seemed the biggest question mark. Despite being the best team in Asia during the qualification stages, there is so much hanging over their heads as the country is going through revolt. As protesters on the ground fight for things much more important than football and literally for their lives, how would the team perform on the pitch? Having drawn the top seed in the group for their first match, would their heads be scattered and lead to their quick demise, or could they funnel these emotions into a surprise upset?

With so many generations of Persians in Los Angeles, the three matches Iran is playing in this World Cup will be on a lot of TVs despite the crazy starting times. Everyone's favorite Persian-owned Game of Thrones themed bar in Sawtelle on the Westside was the place to be for matchday 1, when Iran played England, who most people pick to win the group. Groups of friends trickled in just before and after kickoff, and the intimate nature of the bar gave each of them their own living room as different seating areas all centered around a big television.

During the national anthem the team did not sing along, and somewhat surprisingly the coverage panned to a crying Iranian woman in the crowd. It was reported that fans carrying the flag of Persia were turned away by Qatari security, which will have its own reasons for suppressing images of protest for women's and human rights. The world feed also tried its best to avoid fans in the stadium wearing black wristbands, another form of protest. No one in the bar sang along, and it was around this point that a Los Angeles-born Persian couple showed up in their protest shirts which read "Islamic Republic of Iran" and had the graphic underneath of a phone battery at 1%.

This unfortunately for Iran and its football team's supporters would be an apt representation for their day, as England took full control of the match from the very beginning and the Persian team seemed uninspired and uninterested in the first half. This would have been a great opportunity for someone to learn some select strong words in Farsi, as many directed their frustration towards the TVs as Iran went down 0:3 in the first half.

The halftime talk in the Iran locker room must have been inspired because they came out much more intense in the second half and tried to take the match to England. Unfortunately for them, they could not create any good scoring chances and a little over 15 minutes into the half England scored again. Minutes later the crowd in the stadium and those at 7 Kingdoms Bar were treated to a well-executed goal by their nation and cheered as if they were up by a goal rather than down by three.

After this, the food orders that were put in at halftime started to arrive and everyone was able to enjoy a Persian breakfast of bread, chopped vegetables, and dips. While certainly frustrated, the food seemed to energize everyone to stay engaged until the end, cheering good clearances or other well-executed football plays even through their side was many goals down.

It should be noted that Persians are split on whether to support this team, which many see as a branch of the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Comments even on the post advertising this match accused the bar of being against the people. But many people struggle in a different way, they love their country and its football team, while also wanting change and supporting the protesters.

The biggest cheer of the night from Iranian fans may have come not on either of their two goals, which came when the match was practically decided, but rather with the introduction of substitute Sardar Azmoun. Not only is he one of the team's best, he also has been one of its only players to speak out forcefully against the leaders in Iran for their suppression.

Previous articles featuring cuisine of Iran:

Attari Sandwich Shop, Westwood

Haida Sandwich & Juice, Glendale

Persepolis Pizza & Subs, Reseda

Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream, Westwood

Saffron Food Mart, Torrance

Shamshiri Restaurant, Northridge

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