The sense of Déjà vu was overwhelming by the end of the match against Portugal.

Another brilliant performance by Team Melli boys, another close call, another if only that Taremi ball was a few inches to the right…. But at the end, it counted for nothing more than a brave performance that culminated to nothing for Team Melli.

What is left are sweet memories and some unforgettable moments that will linger in our memories until, at least, the next World Cup in Qatar. That save by Biranvand will stay with us a bit longer we suspect. Karim Ansarifard’s unstoppable penalty in the dying minutes in the roof of the net, was another sweet one. The tears of some players at the end of the game was touching and inspiring too.

There are also those bitter memories. How on earth that violent conduct play of Cristiano Ronaldo against Pouraliganji was not a red card, and especially after the referee used VAR and took his sweet time,  is beyond any logic. Elbowing an important is a straight red card, unless the game rules were changed before yesterday’s game. The Paraguay referee decided in his wisdom that it warranted a yellow card only. No doubt the name of Cristiano Ronaldo had much to do with that decision. Peer pressure by FIFA hierarchy and their fear of losing the best players in the tournament was playing at the back of the referee’s mind too when he swapped his red with yellow!

Favoritism was everywhere; the media was one of them too. The bias towards the more famous and household teams was blatant and widespread. Against Portugal, they complained about the penalty call awarded to Iran, yet the violent conduct of Ronaldo elbowing Pouraliganji m a definite red card offense, received way less attention!!

Ronaldo VAR assisted penalty decision was blessed by the media, despite the minimum of contacts between Ezatolahi and Ronaldo. Interestingly, the ref was close to the scene and waved play on, however, insistence of Ronaldo for a VAR, meant that the penalty was a foregone conclusion.

No matter how much you ridicule the theory of conspiracy, one simply cannot dismiss it and hide from the fact that it simply is not just a coincident. From the cancellation of friendly preparatory matches of Team Melli before the tournament to refusal of Nike to supply boots, it seems that the odds were very much against Iran qualifying.

It is a cruel world and if you need to be recognized, you have to be at your best. Then, even refereeing decisions tend to favor you. Iran is not there yet, but with this group of gallant players and an astute coach like Queiroz, the path is not too long. Bravery, desire and pride were in full display by the boys and that is way more than what Egyptians displayed in that shameful match against Saudi Arabia.

Proud to be a Team Melli supporter.