Iran players perform salute and sing national anthem at Womens Asian Cup

Iranian players rendered a salute and vocalised the national anthem ahead of their final group stage fixture at the Womens Asian Cup in Australia on Sunday, differing from their earlier resolute silence in the competition.

During the opening encounter with South Korea on Monday, the Iranian squad remained still, merely two days after the United States and Israel initiated conflict against the nation.

Yet in the Thursday match against the host country Australia, every member of the Iranian team saluted and sang the anthem at Queenslands Gold Coast.

Facing the Philippines on Sunday, they once more sang and saluted while rain fell on the Gold Coast.

Although no official explanation emerged for their initial posture, manager Marziyeh Jafari noted that her group harboured "so much concern" for their relatives amid the escalating turmoil, with athletes sensing "fully disconnected" from kin.

Iran suffered a 3-0 defeat to South Korea and a 4-0 loss to Australia.