Iran player says `muchas gracias' to Mexico for the hospitality

INGLEWOOD, California — Mexico's hospitality for Iran's World Cup team has not gone unnoticed. Or unappreciated.

Midfielder Alireza Jahanbakhsh made a point of thanking the people of Mexico, which welcomed Iran after they were forced to relocate their training camp from Tucson, Arizona. Iran is based in Tijuana, Mexico, and flies to the United States for its games.

"We love Mexican people. I think everyone has the same feeling," Jahanbakhsh said after Iran held Belgium to a 0-0 draw on Sunday, June 21, keeping its hopes of making the knockout rounds alive. "It's just unbelievable how welcome we are there and the hospitality there is amazing, and I think there is a really heartful feeling between the players and the team to Mexican people now.

"I would like to say, `muchas gracias,'" Jahanbakhsh said, smiling.

Some Tijuanans are even roadtripping to Los Angeles to support their new friends. At the Belgium game, there were fans wearing caps and jerseys from Club Tijuana, where Iran is training, and many Mexico fans seem to have adopted Iran as their No. 2 team.

"It feels kind of home when we are there in Tijuana and them coming all the way here to support us, it means a lot to us," Jahanbakhsh said. "At least we are another four or five days there. Hopefully it's a bit longer.

"We really appreciate them, and hopefully we can have more good and fun times with them together."

Iran plays Egypt in the group-stage finale on Friday, June 26 in Seattle.