Going by the flurry of attacks that Iran produced throughout the match, it would be some consolation for India... Read More

BENGALURU: When it rains, it pours. This idiom aptly describes Bengaluru's unpredictable rain, and held good for Iran's goal-poaching prowess on Tuesday. On a night the rain gods showed mercy, the far superior and disciplined Asian giants didn't, making a mockery of India's non-existent midfield and a shaky defence to coast to a 3-0 win in their Group D World Cup qualifier at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.

Going by the flurry of attacks that Iran produced throughout the match, it would be some consolation for Stephen Constantine's India that the scoreline didn't touch double digits.

A wayward 25-yard shot from Sunil Chhetri and a fruitless acrobatic overhead attempt by Eugeneson Lyngdoh at the half-hour mark remained the only inspiring play that India managed in the first half.

The visitors, meanwhile, gave the hosts a torrid time. Playing a high attacking line, the fierce trio of Sardar Azmoun, Ashkan Dejagah and Mehdi Taremi proved a handful for the Indian defenders while a powerful and skilled midfield led by skipper Andranik Teymourian helped Iran dominate possession and dictate play.

'Iranian Messi' Azmoun kicked-off the goal-fest with a sublime header off a trademark set-piece in the 28th minute that left goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu ­ starting in place of the experienced Subrata Paul ­ and the defence clueless. With towering centre-forward Robin Singh surprisingly playing on the wing and Dhanpal Ganesh taken off early due to an injury, India laboured their way to the end of the first half. The Indian challenge, whatever was left of it, lost the plot as soon as the second half began, with two goals in three minutes leaving their defence in a shambles.

Vahid Amiry's cross from the left took a deflection from the Indian goalmouth melee and rolled safely to an unmarked Teymourian. The Iran skipper, with brisk steps, calmly shuffled down the ground and launched a powerful left-footer that lodged safely into the corner of the net in the 46th minute.

Three minutes later, India's worst nightmare came true when they fell prey to Iran's excellent passing play. The Indian defence ­ which by now had almost the whole team in tow ­ remained mute spectators as Azmoun, Omid Ebrahimi and Taremi took charge inside the box and toyed with the hosts by neatly passing the ball between them with poise.

Taremi then ended the exhibition of what world-class football is all about with a grounded shot ­ a stab right through the heart of the Indian defence ­ to account for Iran's third goal.

Chhetri and substitute Jackichand impressed with a couple of attempts towards the end but the man who saved India from a humiliating night was undoubtedly Sandhesh Jhinghan. The centre-back's despair as he lay on the ground after a lunging head-first dive on Teymourian's feet to stop one of several Iranian assaults will remain one of the night's most memorable images.

Result: India 0 lost to Iran 3 (Sardar Azmoun 28, Andranik Teymourian 46, Mehdi Taremi 49).

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