Iran's women's national team flies home, player says I miss my family

The Iranian team arrived at the airport in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Monday evening local time. Among the players was team captain Zahra Ghanbari, who on Sunday became the fifth person in the squad to withdraw her asylum application in Australia.

One squad member spoke to the AFP news agency before their departure:

I miss my family.

After the trip to Oman, the team will, according to a source who spoke to AFP, fly on to Istanbul before entering Iran via the Turkish border.

Iran's national team was playing in the Asian Championship in Australia when war broke out in the Middle East. After failing to sing the national anthem before the opening match, the players were branded "traitors" on Iranian state television.

A total of six players and one manager sought and were granted asylum in Australia after Iran finished playing in the tournament. Only two players are now reported to remain on Australian soil.