India Go Down Fighting Against Iran In AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, Can Still Make Main Tournament

A fighting India went down by a solitary goal to four-time champions Iran in their second group match at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers here on Friday. After keeping their formidable rivals at bay for most part of the match, the Indians finally conceded a goal in the 88th minute when Yousef Mazraeh managed to beat goalkeeper Priyansh Dubey in the Group G match. It was a creditable show by the Blue Colts against a team considered traditional powers of Asian football.

With three points from two matches, India U20 side still kept alive their hopes of finishing second in the group and moving into the tournament proper.

The top teams of the 10 groups, along with the five best second-place finishers, will qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 in China.

India, currently second in the group with a 4-2 goal difference, will play hosts Laos in their final match on Sunday. Laos lost 0-8 to Iran in their first match.

Iran, with six points, remain at the top of the group.

It was more or less an evenly contested first half in which the Indians did a good job against their skilled rivals.

The Indians broke into the Iranian territory on more than one occasion. The Iranians began aggressively and earned their first corner kick in the fifth minute, though it was tackled well by the Indian defenders.

India didn't remain confined to their own half. Instead, they probed the Iran defence.

In the 11th minute, Kelvin Singh Taorem and Manglenthang Kipgen played passes before releasing it for Gwgwmsar Goyary, who was, however, quickly tackled by a defender.

It wasn't easy for Iran to break through the Indian defence and had to wait till the 38th minute before they had their first real chance.

The Indian goal was definitely lucky not to fall