Women’s Asian Cup 2022: India waste chances to play out goal-less draw against Iran

The Indian women's team wasted innumerable chances in a completely dominating performance as Iran held them to a goal-less draw in their Asian Cup opening match here on Thursday. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

Head coach Thomas Dennerby will be disappointed with the outcome of the match as a win against lower-ranked Iran would have put his side in a comfortable position in its bid to qualify for the quarterfinals. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

But he must be happy in part as his wards dished out some fine display of possession and passing football, especially in the second half, at the DY Patil Stadium. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

He will hope that his team continues in the same vein and score goals in the second match on Sunday against Chinese Taipei, who were thrashed 0-4 by China in the day's earlier match, to keep their quarterfinals prospects alive. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

The Indians would have expected Iran to be defensive in their approach but it turned out to be the opposite in the initial period. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

Iran, ranked 70th as against India's 55th, were the better side in the opening minutes during which they got two scoring chances, including a hit on the crossbar, but the home team took control of the Group A match midway into the first half and dominated till the end. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

India dished out a fine display of passing football in the second half and they were all over a rattled Iranian side who had nothing to do but defend desperately. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

Dennerby's side were unlucky not to have scored any goal and win the match easily. Iranian goalkeeper Zohreh Koudaei made saves after saves to deny the Indians full three points. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

As India pressed for a goal, Iran defended doggedly while facing a deluge of attacks. The Indians were all over -- crosses, shots, toe-pokes, headers -- all inside Iran box but a goal still eluded the home side. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)

India did not name Sweety Devi and Linthoingambi Devi (goalkeeper) in the match day line up from their 23-member squad. Also, Panthoi Devi was added as a goalkeeper. Two unnamed players had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. India play Chinese Taipei on Sunday. (Express Photo Amit Chakravarty)