India vs Tajikistan, CAFA Nations Cup 2025, AS IT HAPPENED: India kicked off their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 journey with a 2-1 win over hosts Tajikistan at the Hisor Central Stadium on August 29. It was a dream start for new coach Khalid Jamil, as Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan struck within the first 12 minutes to give the Blue Tigers control.
Tajikistan hit back through Shahrom Samiev in the 22nd minute and piled on pressure in the second half, even earning a penalty. But goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's brilliant save preserved India's lead and secured a winning debut.

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That's it! India win! They have hold onto the slender lead even after 7 minutes of extra-time! The Blue Tigers register their first victory since March!
India have done a fine job so far by keeping the Tajik players at bay. We just have to wait for a few minutes before we can actually see an Indian victory. As we speak, Mahesh's ferocious shot forces Hasanov a brilliant save!! It was going in!
That penalty save might have broken the hearts of the Tajik players a little, but surely they are not out of spirits. They can still sting India any moment. But that crucial save has given fresh oxygen to the Indians. They are now eager to kill the game.
Good Lord! Tajikistan fail to convert their penalty! Somirov fails to get it in as Gurpreet's long legs come to the rescue!
India are holding onto the lead. Gurpreet was earlier tested early on but the Blue Tigers are ever cautious.
That's it! It's half-time and India go into the break with a slender 2-1 lead! An exciting second-half awaits. Stay tuned.
Few minutes to go before we break for half-time and Tajkistan have clearly dominated the last 20 minutes of the game. Can either side get a goal? Will India extend or will the home-side bring back parity?
After the Samiev goal, it has been all Tajikistan, when it comes to the possession. India did have their moments in patches but the home-side are now playing in full throttle.
Tajikistan are looking threatening now. India are on the backseat after conceding the goal.
The goal has injected fresh life into the minds of the Tajik players. They were looking threatening for a while and now finds themselves with only a goal behind. But India are also not behind. They did force a save from the Tajik keeper few minutes back.
GOAAL!! Tajikistan are back on level terms! Samiev meets a lobbed through-ball expertly and puts it in the back of the net to reduce the deficit! Game on!
Tajikistan managed to win their first set-piece of the night, but they failed to generate anything from it. Nonetheless, they look threatnening on the ball with their constant pressing. India need to negage these attacks.
Even after going 2-0 up, India are not losing focus, even though Tajikistan are getting more of the ball to create an opening. This is the kind of India team, we were missing for a long time. Khalid Jamil clearly means business.
GOAAL!! India have doubled their lead!! It's Anwar Ali again, who's delightful cross was met with aggression from Rahul Bheke as he saw his inital header saved by the Tajik keeper! But in the follow-on Sandesh Jhingan makes no mistake to tap it in from point-blank range.
Tajikistan did find more of the ball in the last two minutes, but couldn't breach the Indian defense.
India once again enjoying possession on the ball. Tajikistan didn't really expect to find themselves behind and now find a tricky task to break through the Indian defense as the back-four of the away side have been disciplined so far.
GOAAL!!! India have taken an early lead!! What a way to start the Khalid Jamil era?! Anwar Ali getting involved in the thick of the action! His header finds the back of the net as the defenders on the goal-line fail to clear it away!
The new look Indian side is showing promise early on in the game. They've already won themselves a corner and are keeping the Tajik players busy.
The Tajikistan fans are very vocal right from the opening minute. India enjoying early posession as of now. They will look to get a rare early goal to put pressure on their opposition.
Moments away from kick-off! Time to see what Khalid Jamil-led India can come up with!
We are done with the national anthems, as we get ready to see India roll in Tajikistan. The home side has always been a tough nut to crack.
We are just few minutes away from kick-off. The players will soon make their way out to the ground.
India's record against Tajikistan has been largely unfavourable, with the Central Asian team winning three of their five encounters. The Blue Tigers' lone triumph came back in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final, where they shocked Tajikistan 4-1 to clinch the championship.
TJK Playing XI: Hasanov, Hazarov, Dzhuraboev, Safarov, Jalilov, Shukurov, Boboev, Mabatshoev, Panshanbe, Samiev.
IND Playing XI: Gurpreet, Bheke, Anwar, Sandesh, Chhangte, Suresh, Vikram, Irfan, Uvais, Jeakson, Ashique.
India kick off their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign against hosts Tajikistan at the Hisor Central Stadium.The match marks the first test for new head coach Khalid Jamil, who took charge earlier this month and had just over a week of preparation with the squad since August 15. Drawn in a tough group with Iran and Afghanistan, the Blue Tigers aim to deliver a solid performance against the home side as they begin this new era.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 match between India and Tajikistan!
Drawn in a tough group alongside Iran and Afghanistan, India will hope to put up a spirited performance against the home side before tackling their other formidable opponents.
For the Blue Tigers, the CAFA Nations Cup is more than just a new tournament-it is a vital opportunity to reset after recent disappointments. India are currently struggling in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign, sitting at the bottom of their group following two defeats. With a crucial double-header against Singapore awaiting in October, Jamil's men will look to use this platform to restore confidence, sharpen their defensive organisation, and rediscover their winning touch.
The challenge will be steep, however. Tajikistan enter the contest in strong form, unbeaten in their last three games and joint leaders in their Asian Cup qualifying pool alongside the Philippines. Playing at home, they will be brimming with confidence and determined to continue their positive run.
Despite the odds, there is a sense of renewed optimism in the Indian camp. Jamil has introduced several younger players into the setup, giving the squad fresh energy and competition for places. For these youngsters, the tournament doubles up as a proving ground to cement their positions in the national side ahead of more demanding fixtures later this year.
Friday's clash promises to be a stern test for India, but also a chance to measure themselves against a rising Central Asian side. With the hosts in form and the visitors desperate to turn their fortunes around, the stage is set for an engaging contest that could set the tone for India's campaign under their new coach.
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Hrithik Tiwari Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Chinglensana Singh, Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Muhammed Uvais.
Midfielders: Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Danish Farooq Bhat, Jeakson Singh, Boris Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Udanta Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh.
Forwards: Irfan Yadwad, Manvir Singh (Jr.), Jithin MS, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vikram Partap Singh Head Coach: Khalid Jamil.