The political tug of war between the United States and Australia over the fate of seven members of the Iranian women’s soccer squad appears to have ended, with the depleted team returning home minus the two players who defected last week. Critics argue that politics over-competitiveness of the women's best interests led to the outcome being far from ideal. Of seven Iranian women who initially accepted asylum in Australia, five changed their minds within days and returned to the team for reasons undisclosed. Critics suggest that the women were provided with independent legal advice earlier and the process not been so rushed. Iran has claimed victory in the public relations battle since Immigration Minister Tony Burke publicly posed with five women who had accepted protection visas.