India falls to Iran in friendly Tri-Nation tournament after Didar’s double strike in second half

It was a bitter night for the Indian senior women’s team as they slumped to a 0-2 defeat against Iran in the opening match of the Tri-Nation Women’s International Friendlies at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on Tuesday.

Two second-half goals from substitute Sara Didar sunk the hosts and gave Iran a win after the first half ended goalless.

For India, the match marked a return to action after a historic qualifying campaign for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup earlier this year and the first challenge in their preparation for next March’s Asian Cup in Australia.

The Blue Tigresses looked off and hesitant. Iran, on the other hand, were calm, physically superior on the ball and dictated the rhythm of the match almost from the start. Every time the visitors attacked, the Indian defense faltered.

The tone was already set in the fourth minute. A routine cross was fumbled by Panthoi, allowing Fatemeh Shaban Ghohrood to pounce on the loose ball. Only a desperate ball from Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi prevented Iran from taking the lead, with the ball hitting the post and out of danger. Iran grew in confidence and stringed together fluid moves, while India struggled to build anything meaningful in the final third.

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Iran’s persistence paid off in the 64th minute. Melika Motevaliitaher floated in a precise cross from the right and India’s backline broke down. An unmarked Zahra Ghanbari headed against the crossbar. The ball fell kindly to the also unmarked Sara Didar, who acrobatically banged in the rebound.

In the 74th minute, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi misjudged the bounce of a routine clearance at the top of the penalty area, allowing Didar to collect the ball. The striker had no hesitation and fired low past Panthoi to make it 2-0 and break the Indian resistance once again.

As the clock ticked, India’s lack of advanced technology became painfully apparent. Their first real test of Iranian goalkeeper Raha Yazdani didn’t come until the 89th minute, when Lynda Kom Serto’s low free-kick was parried.

The visitor even came close to adding a third in stoppage time, with Ghohrood racing down the left and rattling the post. The match had long since escaped India, who will play their next match against Nepal on October 27. Iran meets Nepal on October 24.

Published on October 21, 2025