But like many dictators he understood and was wary of the power of the country’s most popular sport, and the passions it provoked, especially when thousands of people came together. When times were tense, games were played behind closed doors. The heroes of Melbourne, who came from behind to win a playoff in Australia to qualify for the 1998 World Cup, were told not to come straight home to Tehran as the city celebrated. At that tournament there was more public joy after the famous 2-1 win against USA but Khamenei’s statement was not the most sporting. “Tonight again the strong and arrogant opponents felt the bitter taste of defeat at your hands,” he told the team. “Be happy that you have made the Iranian nation happy.”
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Luxury Dubai hotel hit as Iran launches retaliatory strikes across region
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This time, though, and for the first time in its 50-year history, the Brits swapped London for Manchester's Co-op Live Arena.