Iran clearly find the prospect of a gold medal appealing. 'Fame is not important to us. Getting the gold is what is important,' said Seyed Mehdi Sayahi, who scored each of the nine goals for Iran.

'I was very happy to score all nine, but I couldn't have done it without my team mates.

Despite the language barrier, Iran’s Mostafa Shahbazi Yajlou could be heard politely thanking the Chinese team when he managed to block one of their goals.

Fame is not important to us. Getting the gold is what is important

Seyed Mehdi Sayahi

He then celebrated the ninth and final goal from Sayahi by making an ostentatious forward roll at the edge of the field of play, to the delight of the spectators.

China managed five goals but were clearly outclassed by the exuberant Iranian team, who spent the breaks in play whooping up the crowd and clapping along to the background music.

The competition is being held in the Copper Box on the Olympic Park, a venue that gained a reputation for a great atmosphere and spectator experience during the Olympic Games.