India Suffer 0-2 Defeat to Iran in Tri Nation Opener

Image Credit: All India Football Federation

The Indian senior women's football team suffered a disappointing 0-2 loss to IR Iran in the opening fixture of the Tri-Nation Women's International Friendlies at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Both goals came from substitute Sara Didar in the second half after the teams went into the break level at 0-0.

The match marked India's return to international football following their successful AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification campaign earlier this year. It also served as their first preparation test ahead of the continental championship scheduled for March 2026 in Australia.

The Blue Tigresses struggled to find their rhythm throughout the contest while Iran looked composed and controlled proceedings from the start. The visitors dominated possession and troubled India's defence with consistent attacking pressure.

India survived an early scare in the fourth minute when goalkeeper Elangbam Panthoi Chanu fumbled a cross, allowing Fatemeh Shaban Ghohrood a chance. Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi made a crucial clearance as the ball hit the post before going out. Iran continued building attacks while India found it difficult to create clear opportunities going forward.

The deadlock was broken in the 64' when Melika Motevaliitaher delivered a cross from the right flank. India's defence failed to track runners as Zahra Ghanbari headed the ball against the crossbar. The rebound fell to an unmarked Sara Didar, who finished acrobatically to give Iran the lead.

Ten minutes later, Didar doubled the advantage. Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi misread a bouncing ball near the penalty area, allowing the Iranian forward to steal possession and fire a powerful low shot past Panthoi to make it 2-0.

India struggled to mount a serious challenge as the match wore on. Their only meaningful attempt came in the 89' when Lynda Kom Serto's free kick was saved by Iran goalkeeper Raha Yazdani. Iran nearly added a third in stoppage time as Ghohrood hit the post, but the damage had already been done.

Captain Grace Dangmei and forward Pyari Xaxa were both substituted during the match as head coach Crispin Chettri looked for solutions. Defenders Hemam Shilky Devi and Sangita Basfore, along with midfielders Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar and Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, were unable to contain Iran's attacking threats consistently.

India will look to regroup when they face Nepal in their second match on October 27, while Iran take on Nepal on October 24 in the tournament's other fixture.