India, June 16 -- Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has criticised tournament organisers after his team was instructed to leave the United States only hours after opening its FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand.

The Iranian coach expressed frustration over what he described as an unexpected disruption to the squad's recovery plans, claiming the team was ordered to return immediately to its training base in Tijuana, Mexico, instead of spending the night in California as originally scheduled.

Speaking through an interpreter after Monday night's match, Ghalenoei said the team had anticipated remaining in California to complete its normal post-match recovery programme before travelling back to Mexico the following day....