After tense buildup, Iran draw with NZ in opener

INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Iran opened its politically charged World Cup with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday night, overcoming two deficits and getting the tying goal from Mohammad Mohebbi in the 64th minute. Ramin Rezaeian scored an early goal and assisted on Mohebbi's goal for the Iranians, whose World Cup cycle has been in upheaval since the U.S. and Israel began a war against Iran on Feb. 28. Iran ultimately decided to compete even after FIFA rejected its request to move its three group-stage matches out of the U.S. Elijah Just scored early in each half for New Zealand, but Iran responded twice to keep the All Whites winless in their World Cup history. Iran moved its training base during the tournament from Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico, and the team is flying into the U.S. on the day before each game before returning quickly to Mexico. Team Melli began the tournament before a strong pro-Iranian crowd at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, which has the world's largest population of Iranians outside Iran. While several hundred Iranian Americans protested the government outside, many fans from the diaspora jeered and turned their backs on the field during the national anthem -- but almost all appeared to support the Iranian players once the match kicked off. "Lion and Sun" flags -- the emblem of Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution -- were in evidence within the stadium despite FIFA's efforts to ban them. The result, combined with Belgium's draw with Egypt earlier on Monday, leaves all four teams in the group level on points. Iran face Belgium on June 21, while Egypt play New Zealand on the same day. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.