AP: Few people were as excited about Friday's match between Iran and Morocco taking place in St. Petersburg as Iranian women.

Banned from entering stadiums in their own country, female Iranian fans were chanting "Iran", dancing and painting their faces as they were approaching Krestovsky Stadium to watch the game together with male fans.

"It's my first time as an Iranian female to be in a stadium, I'm so excited." - one young Iranian woman, Nazanin, said.

One couple came with a banner reading "4127 km to be at the stadium as a family", expressing protest against the ban for Iranian women to attend matches back at home.