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Members of Iran’s women’s national football team have expressed concern for their families back home as they compete in the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

Forward Sara Didar said the team was deeply worried about developments in Iran following recent U.S. and Israeli air strikes.

“Obviously, we are all concerned, and we’re sad at what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran,” Didar told reporters in Gold Coast ahead of Thursday’s group-stage match against Australia.

“I really hope for our country to have good news ahead.”

Iran lost its opening match 3-0 to South Korea on Monday.

Players remained silent during the national anthem before the game.

The team had arrived in Australia before the latest escalation began.

Although reporters were asked to focus on football-related questions, Didar and head coach Marziyeh Jafari addressed the situation at home.

“We have so much concern regarding the health of our families and our loved ones and all other Iranian people inside our country, with whom we are fully disconnected.

“But here, we are coming to play football professionally, and we will do our best to concentrate on our football and the match ahead,” Jafari said.

Australia coach Joe Montemurro said his team and supporters hoped to provide a compassionate environment for the Iranian players.

“For us, it’s about just showing our human compassion and our respect,” he said.

US-Israeli strikes: Iran women’s football team voices concerns over families

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted that the Premier League title is not in their hands.

City are currently seven points behind leaders Arsenal, having played a game less than the Gunners.

Guardiola’s men were held to a 2-2 draw at the Etihad by Nottingham Forest in the last game, as Arsenal won 1-0 at Brighton.

Speaking ahead of their Champions League last-16 game at Real Madrid, Guardiola demanded the right mindset from his players.

He said: “It’s a pity that the Premier League is not in our hands, that was a big drop against Nottingham Forest.

“Don’t think about it much. Just recover, go to Madrid, make a good selection.

“Hopefully we can behave, I’m not talking win or lose, behave in the way who we are.

“It’s always my focus when we play in the big stages against big teams, it’s not win or lose, it’s be who we are as individuals and as a team.

“After that you can win or lose, you never know. But that is the main, main target I have in my mind. The players know it, I say it to them all the time.”

EPL: Title not in Man City’s hands – Guardiola admits

Super Eagles striker, Akor Adams superb strike against the Desert Foxes of Algeria has been named among the the top five goals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Akor scored Nigeria’s second goal in the thrilling 2-0 quarter-final victory over Vladimir Petković’s side.

The Sevilla hitman was teed up by Victor Osimhen, and he dribbled past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, before firing the ball into the net.

It was the forward’s second goal of the tournament.

Akor was one of the top performers for the Super Eagles in the competition.

Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi, Cameroon striker Christian Kofane, Adil Boulbinan of Algeria, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye are the other players, who have their goals listed in the top five.

AFCON 2025: Adams’ goal named among CAF’s top five