Indian football team loses to Iran 3-0 after late slip-up

The Indian men’s football team went down 3-0 to the Islamic Republic of Iran in their second Group B match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on Monday.

After a goalless first half, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (60’) put Iran in the lead, before substitutes Ali Alipour (89’) and Mehdi Taremi (90+6’) added two late goals to hand the three-time Asian champions the three points.

The win placed Iran on top of Group B with two wins from as many matches. The Indian football team is second with one win and a loss. Afghanistan and Tajikistan will play their second match of Group B later in the day.

Defending champions Iran, 20th in the FIFA Rankings, pegged the world No. 133 India back from the start, drawing some early saves from India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

The Indian defence stabilised their operations at the back after the opening exchanges, managing to keep Iran from producing any clear-cut chances.

Efforts from Mohammad Amin Hazbavi and Omid Noorafkan, a little after the quarter-hour mark, went wide, while Gurpreet managed to block a dangerous cut-back from Mahdi Hashemnezhad.

India had their first chance in the 24th minute, when Suresh Singh Wangjam’s cross was trapped inside the Iran box by Irfan Yadwad, who laid it off for Nikhil Prabhu. The midfielder’s shot, however, was blocked.

India began to gain more confidence as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark, and they managed to produce a passage of play in Iran’s third.

The Blue Tigers managed to produce a couple of switch plays to the right wing to Vikram Partap Singh, who could run at Mohammad Naderi, but Iran negotiated the danger on both occasions.

Minutes later, Gurpreet was again called into action as he got down low to save a snapshot from Noorafkan.

India defended in a coordinated manner in the first half, managing to frustrate Iran.

The second half began much in the same fashion - India allowing Iran to keep possession of the ball, while staving them off near the defensive third.

It took Iran an hour to open the scoring. Hossein Kanaani hung up a cross at the far post towards Hosseinzadeh, whose header was blocked by India defender Rahul Bheke.

The ball, however, dropped kindly for Hosseinzadeh, who finished it from close range.

India head coach Khalid Jamil, looking for avenues to get back in the game, brought on Manvir Singh Jr., Mahesh Naorem, and Jithin MS. The attacking changes gave the Blue Tigers some impetus going forward, and Manvir’s cross found Bheke at the near post in the 72nd minute, but the defender’s header went wide.

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