After showing some promise early on, India suffered a 3-0 defeat to Iran on Monday as they failed to build on their opening 2-1 win over Tajikistan.
Iran, ranked 20th in the world as compared to India’s 133rd rank, stamped their authority from the outset. Three corners inside the first 10 minutes forced Gurpreet Singh Sandhu into early action, while Mohammad Amin Hazbavi’s pace and Omid Noorafkan’s precise deliveries kept India’s defence, led by Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali, constantly on the edge.
India’s Aashique Kuruniyan tried to drive attacks from the left, while Rahul Bheke made overlapping runs on the right, but their efforts fizzled out due to misplaced passes and poor decision-making.
The breakthrough for Iran came in the 59th minute when Mehdi Zadegan slipped a neat ball into the box. Bheke failed to intercept, allowing Amirhossein to calmly slot past Gurpreet and give Iran a lead. Jamil’s halftime changes of bringing in Jeakson Singh and Chinglensana Singh for Suresh Singh and Danish Farooq, had already unsettled the midfield balance, leaving India chasing the game.
As India pushed higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser, attacks grew in number but lacked creativity and composure. Jithin MS misdirected passes, Uvais overhit crosses and Iran gradually found more space between India’s scattered defensive lines.
The inevitable second arrived in the 89th minute. As the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, fatigue began creeping into the Indian backline. Iran capitalised on this in ruthless fashion. Taremi drew Indian defenders towards him before releasing Jahanbakhsh, whose shot was saved by Gurpreet and ricocheted off the bar. Ali Aliporghara pounced on the rebound, smashing the ball into the net to double Iran’s lead.
The final nail in the coffin came in the dying moments of injury time as Iran capitalised on India’s fatigue and defensive lapses. With India pushing bodies forward in desperation, gaps began to open at the back. Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who had been a constant menace on the flanks, found space to slip the ball into the box. Mehdi Taremi, the Olympiakos striker fresh off his move from Inter Milan, timed his run to perfection, ghosting past a tired Indian backline. One touch was all it took, a composed finish beyond Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s reach, to make it 3-0 and seal a convincing win for Iran. India’s next match is against Afghanistan on September 4.
