Bitterness over World Cup omission, Azmoun says after Iran recall

Iran striker Sardar Azmoun said he feels no bitterness after he was left out of his country’s World Cup squad and noted that his recall on Monday brought the same joy as his first national-team call-up. Azmoun, 31, is Iran’s second-leading scorer with 57 goals in 91 games. He had been omitted for the World Cup in North America, with IRNA reporting an injury, though other reports linked his absence to anger among government supporters after a post involving Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. On Monday, he was recalled for friendlies against Uzbekistan and Russia as Iran prepares for next year’s Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.