Shillong, Oct. 21 -- Indian senior women's football team began on a disappointing note with a 0-2 defeat against Iran in their opening match of the Tri-Nation Women's International Friendlies at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in Meghalaya tonight.
Two second-half goals from substitute Sara Didar sank the hosts and handed the Lionesses a victory after the first half ended goalless.
For India, the match was a return to action after a historic AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification campaign earlier this year and the first challenge in their preparations for next March's Asian Cup in Australia.
The Blue Tigresses looked off-colour and tentative. Iran, by contrast, were composed, physically superior on the ball, and dictated the rhythm of the...