An international women's soccer team has demanded a gender test for an Iranian goalkeeper whose heroics cost them a match

• Iran women's international goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei is facing demands for a gender check.
• Koudaei starred as Iran defeated Jordan on penalties in September, saving two spot kicks.

A women's international soccer team has requested one of its opponents be subjected to a "gender verification check" after she saved two penalties in a game in September.

Iran was playing Jordan in a qualification game for the 2022 Women's Asian Cup when goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei saved two penalties during a shootout.

Koudaei's heroics meant Iran won 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, but the keeper's eligibility to take part in the game has been questioned by Jordan.

The match took place on September 25, but Jordan only raised formal concerns on November 5.

The president of the country's FA, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, tweeted a letter from the country's general secretary Samar Nassar to the general secretary of the Asian Football Confederation Dato' Windsor John demanding an investigation.

—Ali Al Hussein (@AliBinAlHussein) November 13, 2021

In the letter, Nassar said: "Considering the evidence submitted by JFA (Jordan Football Association) and given the importance of this competition, we request the AFC to initiate a transparent and clear investigation by a panel of independent medical experts to investigate the eligibility of the payer in question and others on this team, particularly that the Iranian Women Football team has a history with gender and doping issues."

Bin al-Hussein then told the Asian Football Confederation to "wake up."

Jordan's has not publicly provided any evidence to substantiate its request for a gender verification test on Koudaei.

According to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, Koudaei has faced questions over her gender in the past but defended herself staunchly.

The Iranian's team manager Maryam Irandoost has denied the allegations, and accused Jordan of seeking an excuse for losing the game.

"The medical staff have carefully examined each player on the national team in terms of hormones to avoid any problems in this regard, and so I tell all fans not to worry," Irandoost told the sports news site Varzesh 3.

"These allegations are just an excuse not to accept the defeat against the Iranian women's national team.

"The Jordanian team considered themselves the big favourite to qualify and when they lost it was natural to seek relief under false pretenses, and to escape responsibility for this failure.

"We will provide any documentation that the Asian Football Confederation wishes without wasting time."