New Delhi: The Indian and Iran football teams shared a draw as they failed to score in an intense match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 in the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday, January 20, 2022.
The first half began with India in possession of the ball. Anju Tamang got an early corner as Iran cut in and took the ball midfield in the third minute. Manisha Kalyan won a throw in the 9th minute and gave a pass to Anju, who shot a wide from a distance.
Iran shot in the 12th minute, but the ball went over Indian keeper Aditi Chauhan and hit the crossbar instead. India had a break in the 16th minute when Manisha tried a square pass, but the ball went over the bar. Iran’s Negin Zandi pinged a long ball past Aditi as the ball went wide in the 19th minute.
Though India received a scoring chance in the 28th minute, Iranian keeper Zohreh Koudaei quickly saved the goal. India held the ball and dominated the first half by the 37th minute. The officials added two minutes when both teams failed to score but in vain. The teams stood at 0-0.
The final half began with India scoring from a left flank but failed to square the ball in the 48th minute. Manisha gave a clean pass to Pyari Xaxa, who shot a wide in the 52nd minute. Sanidhya Ranganathan tried to pass Pyari when the opponent defender blocked her in the 53rd minute.
Though Pyari rose to meet Anju’s corner, the shot went wide in the 56th minute. Meanwhile, Iran struggled with defence in the 62nd minute. The teams could not score despite substitutions and yellow cards. Aditi charged to collect the ball, but the Iranian smashed over her head. Aditi immediately conceded the ball in the 80th minute.
Grace Dangmei went inside the box in the 86th minute when Koudaei saved the cross. Officials added four extra minutes after no team scored a point. The match ended as host India and opponent Iran failed to score despite several scoring opportunities.
(Avya Mathur)
