How a bid for freedom by Iran’s women footballers went deep into extra time

The furore over not singing their anthem at the Asian Cup was only the start of the drama as players weighed up a chance to seek asylum amid uncertainty about their fate back homeGet our , or Rarely has a first touch carried so much consequence.As the Philippines’ second goal sailed untouched into the back of the net, sealing their victory, the clock started ticking for their opponents: the Iranian women’s team were now out of the Asia Cup tournament.