At the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers here on Friday, Iran, the four-time champions, defeated a valiant India by a single goal in their second group encounter. Yousef Mazraeh’s goal against goalie Priyansh Dubey in the 88th minute of the Group G encounter marked the Indians’ first goal conceded after they had held their fierce opponents at bay for the majority of the game. The Blue Colts put on a commendable performance against a team regarded as one of the traditional powers in Asian football.
The India U20 team managed to hold onto their dreams of placing second in the group and qualifying for the main event with three points from two games.
The top five teams from each of the ten groups will advance to the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 in China, as will the top five teams from the second place finish.
In their final game on Sunday, India—now tied for second place in the group with a 4-2 goal differential—will take on the hosts, Laos. Laos’ opening game against Iran ended in a 0–8 loss.
Iran continues to lead the group with six points.
The first half was very evenly contested, and the Indians performed admirably against their formidable opponents.
There were other occasions when Indians broke into Iranian land. The Indian defenders did a good job of tackling the Iranian corner kick, which they had earned in the fifth minute for their energetic start.
India did not stay isolated in its own region. Rather, they investigated Iran’s defense.
After some passing between Kelvin Singh Taorem and Manglenthang Kipgen in the eleventh minute, Gwgwmsar Goyary was tackled by a defender shortly after.
Iran’s first meaningful opportunity to breach the Indian defence came in the 38th minute, and it wasn’t an easy feat.
After receiving a ball from the right, striker Kasra Taheri had a clear view of the goal, thus the Indian goal was really fortunate not to fall this time. To India’s relief, his header cleared the bar, though.
In order to keep Iran occupied in their own territory, the Indians continued to be aggressive in the second half and made numerous passes. In the 54th and 60th minutes, India launched several offensives. India thought they should have been given a penalty once for a handball offense, but the Uzbek referee had different ideas.
At the end of the hour, a pass from Kelvin Singh to Korou Singh Thingujam behind the defence presented India with their best chance of the session. Korou’s attempt, however, narrowly missed the mark.
Iran started to apply as much pressure as they could as they grew more and more frustrated in their quest for a goal. They not only won several corners but also had a shot on goal, forcing Priyansh, the Indian goalkeeper, to make a diving stop.
But silence on Iran could not be maintained into the eighty-eighth minute. It took Yousef Mazraeh’s discovery of the bottom corner of the net from within the box to eventually break the Indian team’s resolve.
