Shillong, 22 October (Read News).

The Indian Senior Women’s Football team suffered a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Iran on Tuesday night in the opening match of the Triangular Women’s International Friendship Tournament.

In the match played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Iran’s substitute player Sara Didar scored two goals in the second half to give victory to the visiting team.

Both the teams remained goalless in the first half, but in the second half, Iran completely changed the pace of the game in its favor. Didar pierced the Indian defense twice in a row in the 64th and 74th minutes.

India, who had performed brilliantly in the historic AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers earlier this year, looked lackluster in this match. The Iranian team controlled the rhythm of the game from the beginning by showing better coordination and physical strength.

Danger arose for India right at the beginning of the match in the fourth minute when goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu could not catch the ball properly. However, Fanjoubam Nirmala Devi saved India from the initial setback by clearing at the last moment.

But in the 64th minute, the Indian defense missed a precise cross from Melika Motewalitaher. Zahra Ghanbari’s head hit the crossbar and the ball came to Sara Didar, who scored in an acrobatic manner.

Ten minutes later, in the 74th minute, taking advantage of Ratanbala Devi’s mistake, Didar again did not waste the opportunity and sent the ball into the net with a low shot.

India’s first real effort came in the 89th minute, when Linda Kom Certo’s free-kick was brilliantly stopped by Iranian goalkeeper Rahe Yazdani. Iran came close to scoring the third goal in extra time, but Fatemeh Shaban Gohrud’s shot hit the post.

Now India will face Nepal on 27th October, while Iran will face Nepal on 24th October.

India’s starting eleven:

Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (Goalkeeper), Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi (Kiran Pisda 85′), Hemam Shilki Devi, Sangeeta Basfour, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Karishma Purshottam Shirvoikar (Rimpa Haldar 61′), Pyari Zakha (Malvika P 61′), Grace Dangmei (Captain) (Priyadharini Selladurai 78′), Sorokhaibum Ranjan Chanu, Martina Thokchom (Santosh 85′), Linda Kom Serto.

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(Read) Dubey