Iran played 'beautiful game' vs. Belgium under 'worst' conditions - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said his team played a «beautiful game» under the «worst possible conditions» in their 0-0 draw with Belgium at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

Among the reasons Ghalenoei listed that made life difficult on his team were short travel windows, visa complications entering the United States and Mexico in recent weeks, almost no time to properly prepare the team ahead of the tournament and a world-class opponent in Belgium, FIFA's No. 10-ranked team.

«We came into the World Cup under the worst possible conditions,» Ghalenoei told reporters after the Group G game left Iran on two points from two matches. «And still we got a result against a great team and a great manager.

»We played a beautiful game."

Iran, whose travel from their base in Tijuana, Mexico, into and out of the U.S. has been restricted, landed in the U.S. on Saturday night, played Sunday and were due to return to Mexico on Sunday night.

«We had two great games without losing,» Ghalenoei said, alluding to his team's opening 2-2 draw with New Zealand. «Tonight, we celebrate. Tomorrow, we focus on Egypt, which is a very strong team.

»We need to recover and then… we have to fly back. We don't even have enough time to recover. Tomorrow, we will look at [today's] game and look at the game with Egypt.

«Right now, we need recovery. Sixteen hours, two flights and a heavy game. I don't think anyone could have endured this. And our players have given everything. What we need the most now is to recover.»

Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who plays his club football in Belgium and came on at halftime Sunday, said at the bare minimum Iran wanted to have their entire support staff with them when they traveled and time to adapt to the location