India lost to favourites Iran 3-0 in the CAFA Nations Cup at Hisor, Tajikistan, on Monday. After a 2-1 opening day win against the hosts, it was a humbling experience for the 133rd-ranked nation against a side ranked 20th in the world.

Olympiacos striker Mehdi Taremi slotted home the third on 90+6 minutes after Ali Alipour turned in a rebound in the 89th to make it 2-0. Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh had netted from close range in the 59th minute to put Iran ahead.

A three-goal defeat does not do justice to the fight put up by Khalid Jamil's India against the higher-ranked opposition. For India, a win would have been historic and a draw just as memorable.

The two late goals came at a time when India pushed for an equaliser. Iran were dominant throughout, with 77% possession, nine shots against two and 14 corners against two. But India showed promise, especially in the second period when Malayali winger Jithin M S was introduced.

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The Thrissur native tried his best to link up with the forwards, but could not deliver the killer pass on at least two occasions.

For the second match in a row, two Malayalis, Ashique Kuruniyan and Muhammed Uvais, started the match. Jithin came off the bench in the second half, just like former Kerala Blasters midfielder Jeakson Singh, who took an audacious attempt from range that almost sneaked in.

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India's third and final group match is against Afghanistan on September 4. India will have to win that encounter to stand a chance of reaching the semifinals.

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