September 4, 2025-
Venue– Hisor Central Stadium
CAFA Nations Cup 2025: India vs Afghanistan Ends 0–0 – Playoff Hopes Still Alive
The CAFA Nations Cup 2025 has proven to be an exciting and unpredictable tournament for Indian football fans. This year’s edition, co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from August 29 to September 8, saw India join the tournament as a late replacement for Malaysia. Despite entering as underdogs, the Blue Tigers have impressed so far—beating higher-ranked Tajikistan in their opening match and then holding Afghanistan to a tense goalless draw in their final group-stage clash.
This performance keeps India’s playoff hopes alive, and depending on the result of the Iran vs Tajikistan fixture, they could still qualify for the third-place playoff on September 8.
India’s Strong Start to the Tournament
India’s campaign began on a historic note as they registered a 2–1 win over Tajikistan, their first away victory in almost two years. Goals from Lallianzuala Chhangte and Manvir Singh sealed the result and gave new head coach Khalid Jamil a dream start in charge.
That result boosted team morale and proved that this squad—despite being in transition—has what it takes to compete with Central Asian teams known for their physicality and tactical discipline.
Decisive Group Match: India vs Afghanistan
The much-anticipated India vs Afghanistan clash at the Hisor Central Stadium was crucial. A win would have guaranteed India a spot in the third-place playoff, but even a draw could prove enough depending on the other results in Group B.
Pre-Match Build-Up
India entered the match ranked 133rd in FIFA’s standings, compared to Afghanistan’s 161st. Despite being favorites on paper, the Blue Tigers were careful not to underestimate their opponents. Afghanistan had shown resilience in their earlier fixtures, and the rivalry between the two sides has always been competitive.
Match Summary: A Tactical Battle Ends Goalless
The match finished 0–0, a result that reflects the cagey, defensive nature of the contest. Both sides created chances, but neither could find the back of the net.
- India’s Defensive Strength: The backline led by Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan held firm throughout, dealing well with Afghanistan’s physical forwards.
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s Heroics: India’s veteran goalkeeper produced a crucial late save, tipping an Afghan effort onto the crossbar in stoppage time to preserve the draw.
- Missed Chances: India could have sealed the game earlier—Irfan Yadwad squandered a golden opportunity when he slipped in the box, and substitute Jithin MS was denied by a brilliant save from Afghan keeper Hamidi.
Key Match Highlights
First Half: Measured Approach
- Both teams started cautiously, focusing on possession and shape rather than all-out attack.
- Ashique Kuruniyan was booked in the 33rd minute for a rough tackle, signaling India’s intent to stay aggressive.
- The best chance of the half fell to Yadwad, who mis-hit a rebound from close range.
Second Half: India Pushes for a Winner
- Khalid Jamil brought on Manvir Singh and Vikram Partap Singh to inject pace and energy.
- Manvir created a great chance for Jithin MS, but Hamidi rushed off his line to make a crucial block.
- Afghanistan nearly stole the game late on, but Gurpreet’s reflex save kept India’s hopes intact.
Outcome and Group Implications
The draw means India remains unbeaten against Afghanistan for the third consecutive year. The result may still be enough to secure second place in Group B, thanks to India’s head-to-head advantage over Tajikistan. If that holds, India will face the Group A runner-up in the third-place playoff on September 8.
This would be a significant achievement for a side many had written off before the tournament began.
Tournament Context: The CAFA Nations Cup
The CAFA Nations Cup is still a relatively new competition, with the first edition taking place in 2023, when Iran lifted the trophy. The 2025 edition expanded to include more teams, including invited nations such as Oman and India.
Matches are being held in Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Hisor (Tajikistan)—venues that have seen enthusiastic crowds turn up to support regional football.
India’s Tactical Approach and Key Players
Coach Khalid Jamil deserves credit for setting up India in a compact 4-2-3-1 system, which allowed them to remain solid defensively while creating occasional chances on the counter.
- Star Performers:
- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu: His late save was a match-defining moment.
- Anwar Ali & Sandesh Jhingan: Rock-solid at the back, clearing multiple Afghan attacks.
- Lallianzuala Chhangte: Continued to be India’s creative outlet down the left.
However, the lack of finishing efficiency remains a concern. India had more possession but could not turn it into goals—something they must fix if they want to secure a podium finish.
Looking Ahead
India now awaits the result of the Iran vs Tajikistan match to determine their next step. If they advance to the third-place playoff, it will be an opportunity to cap their CAFA Nations Cup journey with a medal and much-needed confidence ahead of future assignments, including World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
Regardless of the result, this campaign has shown:
- Defensive Solidity: India has conceded just one goal in two matches.
- Mental Resilience: The team fought hard in a physically demanding environment.
- Progress Under Jamil: The new coach has already implemented tactical discipline and squad depth.
Conclusion
The 0–0 draw with Afghanistan may not have been the thrilling win fans hoped for, but it was a performance full of grit, determination, and defensive maturity. With their fate still in play, India’s campaign at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 represents a step forward in building a competitive and confident national team.
If India does make it to the playoff, expect Khalid Jamil’s men to come out all guns blazing in pursuit of a top-three finish—something that would further raise the profile of Indian football in Asia.
