It was a tale of two halves for the Indian national team as they succumbed to a 0-3 defeat against Iran in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday night at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Sardar Azmoun (29') gave the visitors the lead in the first half before quick strikes by Andranik Teymourian (47') and Mehdi Taremi (51') sealed India’s fate.Iran’s attacking intent was evident from the word go as coach Carlos Queiroz lined up with a 3-5-2 formation, looking to play another striker up front with Azmoun, while Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was handed his senior team debut in goal for India.After a scrappy start to the match, it was Sunil Chhetri (Mumbai City FC) who had the first shot of the game but the Indian skipper skewed it wide. Soon after, Iran started stamping their authority on the game and Azmoun was left with a clear shot on goal but was denied by a brave block by Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters FC).As the Iranians turned the screw, Indian centre backs Sandesh and Arnab Mondal (Atletico de Kolkata) held the visitors at bay, from a bit of assistance from Gurpreet. However, the tragedy struck in the 12th minute as holding midfielder Dhanapal Ganesh (Chennaiyin FC) went off with injury and was replaced by Rowlin Borges.The visitors dominated possession and their persistent pressure bore fruit when Azmoun redirected a Teymourian’s free-kick into the far corner, past a helpless Gurpreet. India, however, could have hit right back as Delhi Dynamos’ Robin Singh’s free-kick found an unmarked Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Pune City FC). But Lyngdoh’s acrobatic effort was blocked by a defender.The Indian defence held its nerve till the half-time whistle and a 1-0 scoreline against the mighty Iranians at the break seemed respectable.However, after the restart Iran came out all guns blazing and the Indian defence was taken unawares. Two goals within six minutes of the restart by Teymourian and Taremi had the home team under the pump.Post the traumatic opening 10 minutes in the second half, the Blues’ defence rallied behind a brilliant Sandesh Jhingan who thwarted the continuous pressure time and again with some daring blocks. Jackichand Singh (Pune City FC) replaced Lyngdoh in the 65th minute and was instantly involved in India’s best chance of the match in the 70th minute. His cross found Chhetri who knocked it down for Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC) who had the goal at his mercy but a last-minute tackle from Morteza Pouraliganji hampered him.Cavin Lobo (Kerala Blasters FC and previously Atletico de Kolkata) came in for Jeje in the 80th minute as India’s last substitution of the game. The final 10 minutes and added time saw some half-chances for the visiting side but there was no change in the score-line.It was the third defeat in a row for Stephen Constantine’s men after losing to Oman and Guam previously. However, the Blue Tigers will have some positives to take home owing to a gritty first-half display against a team placed 115 places above them in the FIFA rankings.
