Image Courtesy: AIFF Media
Team India slumped to their sixth defeat in seven games in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as they remained rooted to the bottom of the group. A penalty in each half and two more goals from Jahanbakhsh and Azmoun completed a 4-0 rout of the visitors. Here is how the players fared in the game
India
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 8.5/10
Man of the match without a doubt. The goalkeeper made several brilliant saves during the game. India were under onslaught from the Iranian attack throughout the match but the keeper’s heroics helped the Blues avoid conceding more goals than they already had. It might have been 10-0 if it wasn’t for Gurpreet!
Narayan Das – 4/10
Had a decent first half as he managed to put in several good tackles and blocks limiting the Iranians to the single goal. But he gave a silly penalty in the second half after his handball which led to the third goal. Struggled to cope the way he did in the first half.
Aiborlang Khongjee – 3/10
Spent only 20 first half minutes on the pitch before getting injured. Was substituted by Pritam Kotal.
Augustin Fernandez – 3/10
An invisible performance by the right-back. Made a couple of blocks but nothing more. He did not help India’s cause in an attacking sense either.
Sandesh Jhingan – 6/10
A brave performance by the defender in the first half making several crucial blocks. It was difficult for him to though shoulder the burden in the second half as the defence finally submitted to the Iranian attack.
Bikash Jairu – 3/10
The midfielder gave away the penalty that led to the first goal. He wasn’t able to get hold of the ball much with the Iranian midfield dominating most of the possession. His foul also led to him being injured and hence was taken off
Pronay Halder – 4/10
He was very quiet throughout the game. Never really gave good service with the opposition not allowing India to get into the game at most times.
Udanta Singh Kumam – 5/10
The highly promising youngster was handed his debut today by coach Constantine but he remained anonymous for most periods. He did show some promise in the second half making a couple of runs but it was always difficult against a tough defence.
Holicharan Narzary – 5.5/10
Looked lively at times in the first half. Played on the left wing after Jairu was taken off. Went past his marker once or twice. His set pieces were a little disappointing and he blew a good chance to equalize in the first half after his effort went over the bar.
Rowllin Borges – 2/10
The Indian forwards had a tough day at the office because of the lack of chances that were created. Borges was a spectator in the game and never looked like threatening the opposition defence.
Jeje – 4/10
Jeje is probably one of India’s more prominent and talented players but today his skill seemed to escape him. He did receive the ball at times from crosses but couldn’t really convert due to a lack of clear-cut openings.
Substitutes:
Pritam Kotal – 4/10
Wasn’t any better than the man he replaced – Aiborlang Khongjee. He had several misunderstandings with his defensive partners and never looked comfortable at the back.
Harmanjot Khabra – 5/10
He replaced Jairu on the right flank. Made several runs and tried to contribute in an attacking sense. He also had a half chance to score but his header was not on target
Lalchhuanmawia – N/A
Came on for the last part of the match for Narzary
