Indian football team’s dismal run continued as they suffered a humiliating 0-4 loss to Iran in a Group D match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Azadi Stadium at Tehran on Thursday.
Haji Safi (33rd, 66th) scored twice, while Azmoun (61st) and Alireza (78th) also got on the score sheet as the highest-ranked team in Asia drubbed India.
With this win, Iran finished as Group D leaders with 17 points, while a winless India remained fifth with just three points to their name ahead of their final game against Turkmenistan in Kochi on March 29.
Iran made eight changes and fielded a young team, while for India, the injured duo of Sunil Chhetri and Eugeneson Lyngdoh were replaced by Udanta Singh, who made his senior debut, and Pronay Halder.
Arnab Mondal and Pritam Kotal made way for Sandesh Jhingan and Aiborlang Khongjee.
India coach Stephen Constantine described their 0-4 loss to Iran as a “very difficult” game for his side, which was left depleted due to injuries to key players.
They controlled the game. It was a very difficult game for us even before it kicked-off. In the first half, we conceded from a penalty and had two players coming out for injury. It made it all the more difficult for us.Stephen Constantine
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