The Matildas’ second game of the Women’s Asian Cup group stage tonight shapes as their most straight-forward, against an Iran side that struggled in their opener against South Korea on Monday, losing 3-0.

Widening the lens beyond football, it will also be the game in which Australia’s mission to win the tournament, and qualify for next year’s World Cup, feels least important. The story here is Iran, playing against the backdrop of war in their homeland and uncertainty over the safety of their families and communities.

Even while physically safe in Australia, the team are believed to be under the watch (many would argue oppression) of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, travelling with the side to ensure they uphold the values of the regime that has repressed citizens rights for decades.

It’s why manager Marziyeh Jafari would not be directly drawn on questions regarding the war, or death of Ayatollah Khamenei, last Sunday – although as The Sports’ Ambassador’s Tracey Holmes points out, there was still plenty in her answer for those inclined to see it.

“She said ‘it’s not the time for those questions, but we are here as women to compete in this tournament, and it’s very important for the women, and I think we should move on to the next question.’ Everyone thought she was just batting it away,” Holmes told Box2Box.

“But within those words, you have to look very carefully. The fact she said it’s important for these women to be in this tells a whole lot of something: that is just by being here, they’re putting their hands up and saying ‘we are here, we count. And we should count in our own country, as well as any other country we might want to compete in.”

At Wednesday’s pre-game press conference, with the death toll in Iran having risen above 1,000, 21 year-old striker Sara Didar offered a more transparent glimpse into what all expect the team to be feeling.

“Obviously, we’re all concerned,” said Didar via an interpreter. “We are sad [about] what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran and we love them. But I really hope… to have good news ahead. I hope that my country will be strongly alive.”

“Having watched on and seen other teams that have been in similar positions before, I think what we have to recognise is that their resilience, their strength, their mental fortitude is evident just by the mere fact that they play the game,” said Holmes.

“In a country like Iran, against the incredible pressures they face week in, week out – there’s incredible tension in just being an athlete from a country like this. It means you’re always aware of what can happen, what action can be taken against you or your family should you stray.

“But at the same point, particularly for the women’s side, by playing the game, it is almost a demonstration in itself.”

That demonstration went further against South Korea. In standing voiceless and passive as the national anthem – which was instilled by and references the regime – played, they followed the actions of the men’s team at the 2022 Men’s World Cup. Whether they’ll replicate the stand tonight will be of great interest.

“When Iran went out for their first game in Qatar there had been protests in the build-up as well, and the men refused to sing the anthem. But again, security forces monitoring them came down swiftly and by the time they played their second match, they were all singing the national anthem.

“It’s very hard to be able to get away with anything, so to speak, when you’re on an international stage. It takes a great deal of courage to be able to do that.’

“In every major event, there are teams from countries competing against this backdrop. It’s a tension that ebbs and flows, sometimes good days, sometimes bad. These stories are always there, which is part of the beauty of international sport.

“It’s one of the great things about having the Women’s Asian Cup here, because we get to see a little behind the scenes of other people’s lives. This context should make us feel a lot more grateful. Some things we think are big problems in our daily lives… well, look at what these people are going through in their daily lives, and for many, many years.”