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U.S.-Iran match fails soccer fans
Posted: Sunday June 21, 1998 08:41 PM
After all the hype, all the fuss, all the political conjecture, was the United
States-Iran
encounter on the field really worth the trouble?
I don't think so. It was all rather anti-climactic. But then I didn't
expect anything else.
On FIFA's "Fair Play Day", the players posed for a photograph together and
exchanged gifts of flowers and pennants.
We even saw pictures of fans of both teams sharing in good humored banter
before the game, chanting and singing side-by-side.
President Bill Clinton gave a public address to the American nation
before the kick off, by way of explaining this match could help forge
better diplomatic links with the Islamic Republic. It was considered
that important. And on the political front, some good was undoubtedly
done. But on the soccer front, both teams were found wanting.
The United States pushed hard and were fully committed at all
times, but they were too often slow and deliberate when they most needed to
pick up the pace.
Iran sat back, sat back and sat back some more ... then
occasionally broke forward with speed to cause what twice turned out to be
major concern.
Once the Iranians had scored their first goal, finding a way
through was even more difficult for the Americans and they were caught cold
by Mehdi Mahdavikia on the break for No. 2.
The U.S. had its chances, hitting the woodwork three times and
being denied by a brilliant save when Frankie Hejduk seemed sure to level
matters when the U.S. was down just one.
But for all the late excitement caused by Brian McBride's goal,
this was far from world class World Cup stuff. One only had to witness the
day's first two games to know that.
Yugoslavia and Germany fought
out a 2-2 thriller, while Argentina
pounded Jamaica 5-0
with superstar striker Gabriel Batistuta scoring the first hat trick of
these finals.
The Americans and the Iranians were not short on passion. They knew what
the game meant on a national level. But on a pure soccer level, it failed
to hit the mark.
Iran barely scraped through to the finals and will be sent packing by
Germany in its final group game.
The United States disappointed against Germany in its first outing
and have been sent packing by Iran.
There's lots more work for them to do between now and the 2002
finals before they can be considered anything other than underdogs or
also-rans. The stark reality right now is that they're just not
good enough.
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