Shillong, October 22 (Udaipur Kiran): The Indian senior women’s football team suffered a 0–2 defeat to Iran in the opening match of the Tri-Nation International Friendly Tournament held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday night.
Iran’s substitute player Sara Didar proved to be the game-changer, scoring both goals in the second half to secure victory for the visitors.
Both teams went goalless in the first half, but after the break, Iran took full control of the game’s tempo. Didar broke through the Indian defence twice — first in the 64th minute and again in the 74th minute — to seal the win.
India, which had impressed earlier this year in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, looked off-colour in this outing. Iran, on the other hand, displayed better coordination, tactical discipline, and physical dominance throughout the match.
In the 4th minute, India faced an early scare when goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu failed to collect a loose ball, but defender Fanjoubam Nirmala Devi made a crucial clearance to prevent an early goal.
The breakthrough came in the 64th minute when Malika Motevalitaher sent in a precise cross that India’s defence failed to clear. Zahra Ghanbari’s header hit the crossbar, and Didar pounced on the rebound to score with an acrobatic finish.
Ten minutes later, Didar struck again, capitalising on a defensive lapse by Ratanbala Devi, firing a low shot into the net to double Iran’s lead.
India’s only real chance came in the 89th minute, when Linda Kom Sertoo’s free-kick was brilliantly saved by Iranian goalkeeper Raha Yazdani. In stoppage time, Fatemeh Shaban Gohrood nearly added a third for Iran, but her shot struck the post.
India will next face Nepal on October 27, while Iran will meet Nepal on October 24.
India’s Starting XI:
Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (GK), Fanjoubam Nirmala Devi (Kiran Pisda 85’), Hemam Shilky Devi, Sangita Basfore, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar (Rimpa Halder 61’), Pyari Xaxa (Malavika P 61’), Grace Dangmei (Captain) (Priyadharshini Seladurai 78’), Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, Martina Thokchom (Santosh 85’), Linda Kom Sertoo.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.