After Two Years

After Two Years

Mohammadali Najib

Iranian women are winning significant but small victories in women’s soccer. Malavan’s female soccer team from Bandar Anzali, Iran has a strong voice when it comes to the sport. Even though in 2016 controversy erupted amongst the team supporters after the CEO of the club was quoted saying “We have many mouths to feed. When a storm-lashed ship is sinking, it starts unloading extra burdens.” This extremely sexist and belittling statement questioned women’s ability to play equally as good as the men.

After a few year absence and a change of ownership the team is back stronger than ever. One significant win for the team was on November 13th when the team qualified in Thailand for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This new start in Iran’s northern region by the Caspian Sea could pave a new beginning for female soccer players in the country and give them a tiny glimpse of hope.

Malavan Bandar Anzali football club is known as the team of the Iranian Navy and is seen as one of the more successful teams coming from outside of Tehran.
In recent months, Iranian women’s teams have advanced in different international matches, increasing their chances of playing in the World Cup and 2020 Olympics and giving many young women athletes inspiration to play the game.
Maryam Irandoost, the head coach of Malavan Women Football Team, is delivering speech in the first exercise session after two years of team inactivity.
Maryam Irandoost, the head coach of Malavan Women Football Team, is delivering speech in the first exercise session after two years of team inactivity.
A view of the entering gate of the exercise field of Malavan Women Football Team.
The first exercise session of Malavan Women Football Team after two years of the team inactivity.
Maryam says she was only six months old when she first started watching her father’s football matches, joking that she has been a Malavan Club fan ‘even before birth’.
Irandoost is the daughter of a prominent football player, Nosrat Irandoost, who in 1976 helped the Malavan Club win the Hazfi Cup in Iran.
Arisa roodbari, 23, is Iranian-Japanese. She came to Iran 6 months ago. Formerly, she played for Japanese local teams. She has been chosen as a palyer for Malavan.
some boys, watching the first exercise session of Malavan Women Football Team.
In 2016, Malavan Club’s women’s squad was abruptly shut, and Irandoost compared that decision and their inability to play as like being a ‘prisoner surrounded by concrete walls’.
Football is the most popular sport in Bandar Anzali, and in recent years, it has attracted many women fans, while inspiring younger female athletes to play it professionally.
Bandar Anzali is one of the major cities in the northern province of Gilan by the Caspian Sea and it has produced several prominent football players, including Maryam’s father, Nosrat.
Recently, the team has returned, and Irandoost said she hopes that its revival will give reinforce their determination to win championships in national tournaments.
Raha Yazdani, 30, has been playing football for 4 years. She served as a forward and midfielder in Zob Ahan and Shahrdary clubs. However, she serves as a goalkeeper in the new round of Malavan preparation.
after exercise of Malavan team, local children play in the pitch.
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