India suffered their sixth loss of the 2018 World Cup Qualifying campaign, after suffering a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Asian giants Iran on Thursday, at the Azadi Stadium, in Tehran.
The Blue Tigers started off well, but a brace from Iran captain Ehsan Haji Safi and a goal each from Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahan Bakhsh were enough to see the away side off, as Iran went three points clear at the top of Group D of the Asian Qualifiers.
India started the match on a positive note, with the Narayan Das troubling the Iranian defenders on the flanks. The visitors, who were expected to mostly sit back and absorb the pressure, almost went into a shock lead, as Holicharan Narzary pulled the trigger, with Iran custodian Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri coming off his line. Luckily fo the hosts, the shot was just inches above the target.
However, all that positive momentum was broken for India, as referee Vo Minh Tri pointed to the spot after a high booted challenge from winger Bikash Jairu, inside the box. Iran captain Haji Safi made no mistake in slotting the spot kick into the goal.
Some support for #IND. #IRNvIND #BackTheBlue #IND pic.twitter.com/skm2Jm28cH
— Indian Football Team (@AiffMedia) March 24, 2016
The home side clamped down on the India goal after shooting into the lead, and continued to dominate the ball in the second half as well. India ahd a few chances in between, but the Iranians doubled their lead just after the hour mark, as Azmoun scored from a Haji Safi corner, just after the hour mark.
There was more misery in store for the Indians, as just four minutes later, Narayan Das mis-timed his header, to handle the ball in his own penalty area. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing towards India’s spot for the second time in the match, as Haji Safi made the score 3-0 in favour of the hosts.
If India were still harbouring hopes of salvaging something from this game, they were all dashed by Iran on the 78th minute, as Alireza latched on to a long ball, and slotted it into the far corner of the net. With this result, Iran have almost confirmed their qualification to the World Cup, while India have to settle for the bottom spot in Group D.
Image Courtesy: AIFF Media
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