India squandered a golden chance to earn three points in the first match of their AFC Women's U-19 Championship 2017 Qualifiers as Iran canceled out Kashmina's goal, nine minutes from time with an opportunistic strike from Hanieh Mokhtarifar at Hanoi on Wednesday.
Kashmina's goal came at the stroke of the hour mark, set up by Shetty, who floated in a good cross. The Indian striker, who was a constant threat to the Iranian defence, took a touch before slotting the ball home.
India were down to nine players for a few minutes as skipper Ratanbala Devi and Shetty were being treated on the sidelines. With time running down to the final whistle, Iran pierced the gaps in the field and Mokhtarifar levelled scores. Kashmina got a chance to put India in the lead yet again when she was through on goal three minutes from time, but Iran goalkeeper Hengameh Sefati did well to palm the shot away.
India's next game is against hosts Vietnam on November 4.
Brief score:
India 1 (Kashmina) draw with Iran 1 (Hanieh Mokhtarifar)
