Is Iran's Head Coach Thrilled After Team Qualifies for Women's Asia Cup?

Amman, July 20 (NationPress) Iran’s head coach Marziyeh Jafari expressed immense joy after her team defied expectations to secure a spot in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 on Saturday.

After suffering a 3-1 loss to Lebanon on Matchday Four, Iran needed a win against Jordan to progress—and they accomplished this with a gritty 2-1 victory, ensuring their place in the continental tournament for the second consecutive time.

"I am truly thrilled that we could bring joy to the hearts of the Iranian people. Qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup was a challenging journey.

“We entered the tournament under tough circumstances, with limited resources, logistical challenges, and significant psychological pressure, but my players fought with incredible determination and exceeded expectations.

"The athletes not only exhibited impressive technical skills but also demonstrated mental resilience and motivation that reflects the caliber of a great team. This squad deserves recognition," Jafari stated.

Despite the excitement of reaching the finals, the seasoned coach remarked that further effort is necessary to ensure that Iran improves upon their group stage performance from 2022.

"This qualification marks not the end, but the onset of a new chapter. We need a comprehensive strategy to ensure a robust presence in the final stage.

“This team has the potential to shine, develop, and compete with the top Asian teams. I hope the support stays strong so we can be a proud representative of Iranian women’s football in Asia," Jafari added.

Jordan’s head coach David Nascimento did not disguise his disappointment, as his team only required a draw to advance.

With an early second-half goal from Sara Didar, followed by a swift counterattack concluded by Negin Zandi, Jordan found themselves under pressure. Although a late own goal from Fatemeh Amineh provided a glimmer of hope, it was merely a consolation as the West Asian side fell short of qualifying.

“We dominated the game throughout,” said Nascimento. “They relied on counterattacks to score, but that’s football; the superior team doesn’t always win.

“This outcome is particularly tough for the players as we were eager to win. I am deeply disappointed, and the players feel the same, but we must recover from this setback.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon concluded their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Singapore, with head coach Wael Gharzeddine encouraging his players to focus on improvement.

"We struggled to find our rhythm in the match and missed numerous opportunities,” Gharzeddine noted. “Eventually, we managed to secure a win.

“The group results illustrate how closely matched Asian teams are, where scores are tight and surprises can occur. Hence, we must consistently improve to avoid falling behind," Nascimento concluded.