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India's national team coach Stephen Constantine blamed silly mistakes for the Blue Tigers' 4-0 loss to Iran in a World Cup Qualification round two Group 'D' tie, at the Azadi stadium, in Tehran, on 24th March.
The Iranians were contained on home soil for the first 33 minutes, after which Haji Safi was handed a penalty and duly converted it. It was all Iran in the second half through, as Sardar Azmoun, Safi (another penalty) and Alireza Jahan scored for the home side in the second half to reflect the Sher-e-Iran's dominance on the night.
Reflecting on the loss to Carlos Queiroz team, the Indian gaffer Constantine opined, “They controlled the game. It was a very difficult game for us even before it kicked-off. In the first half, we conceded from a penalty and had two players coming out for injury. It made it all the more difficult for us.”
“We are a very young side. One boy (Udanta Kumam) made his international debut today and he will never forget the fact that he played his first International match at the Azadi stadium against Iran,” commented Constantine, reflecting on the positives of his Blue Tigers' expedition to the central Asian country.
Finally, the 55-year-old explained that his team came up short in a few areas of the pitch, forcing themselves into silly mistakes.
“We tried to contain Iran and paid the price for some mistakes. We were short in some areas and paid the price for that. Iran are one of the best teams in Asia and playing at the Azadi stadium has its own challenges,” concluded Constantine.
The Indian squad will arrive in Kochi to take on their next Group 'D' opponents Turkmenistan on Tuesday, 29th March.
India's national team coach Stephen Constantine blamed silly mistakes for the Blue Tigers' 4-0 loss to Iran in a World Cup Qualification round two Group 'D' tie, at the Azadi stadium, in Tehran, on 24th March.
The Iranians were contained on home soil for the first 33 minutes, after which Haji Safi was handed a penalty and duly converted it. It was all Iran in the second half through, as Sardar Azmoun, Safi (another penalty) and Alireza Jahan scored for the home side in the second half to reflect the Sher-e-Iran's dominance on the night.
Reflecting on the loss to Carlos Queiroz team, the Indian gaffer Constantine opined, “They controlled the game. It was a very difficult game for us even before it kicked-off. In the first half, we conceded from a penalty and had two players coming out for injury. It made it all the more difficult for us.”
“We are a very young side. One boy (Udanta Kumam) made his international debut today and he will never forget the fact that he played his first International match at the Azadi stadium against Iran,” commented Constantine, reflecting on the positives of his Blue Tigers' expedition to the central Asian country.
Finally, the 55-year-old explained that his team came up short in a few areas of the pitch, forcing themselves into silly mistakes.
“We tried to contain Iran and paid the price for some mistakes. We were short in some areas and paid the price for that. Iran are one of the best teams in Asia and playing at the Azadi stadium has its own challenges,” concluded Constantine.
The Indian squad will arrive in Kochi to take on their next Group 'D' opponents Turkmenistan on Tuesday, 29th March.