India Seal Third-Place Playoff Spot in CAFA Nations Cup After Draw with Afghanistan

At the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan, India battled Afghanistan to a goalless draw in their final CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Group B encounter on Thursday, September 4. The Blue Tigers were left waiting for the result of the later game between IR Iran and hosts Tajikistan before knowing their fate. A 2-2 draw in that clash confirmed India’s progression to the third-place playoff.

India Clinch Second Place in Group B

Khalid Jamil’s men closed the group with four points from three matches (a win, a loss, and a draw). IR Iran topped the standings with seven points, while Tajikistan, also on four points, missed out after losing the head-to-head battle to India. Afghanistan finished bottom with just one point.

India’s crucial opening win against Tajikistan (2-1) proved decisive in breaking the tie. The Blue Tigers will now play the third-place match on September 8 at Hisor Central Stadium, against the runner-up from Group A.

Who Will India Face Next?

Group A remains finely balanced ahead of its final round of fixtures:

Both Oman and Uzbekistan sit tied at the top with identical records, while Turkmenistan and Kyrgyz Republic still have a mathematical chance. On Friday, September 5, Oman face Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan meet Kyrgyz Republic in Tashkent to determine India’s playoff opponent.

A First Half of Missed Chances

Afghanistan started brightly, pressing India’s backline, but it was Khalid Jamil’s men who carved out the better opportunities.

• In the 16th minute, Ashique Kuruniyan beat his marker and squared the ball for Irfan Yadwad, who squandered a golden chance.
• Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, India’s captain and goalkeeper, was called into action soon after, making a smart save from Ali Reza Panahi’s long-range strike.
• The Blue Tigers’ closest call came in the 34th minute when Ashique dispossessed Mahboob Hanifi in the box, only to be denied by Afghan keeper Faisal Ahmad Hamidi.

Despite momentum, India couldn’t break the deadlock before half-time.

Tactical Changes and Second-Half Drama

Coach Khalid Jamil turned to his bench at the interval, bringing on Manvir Singh Jr and Vikram Partap Singh. The changes injected energy, with India dominating possession and pushing higher up the pitch.

• In the 60th minute, Nikhil Prabhu threaded a brilliant ball for Jithin MS, narrowly out of reach.
• Jithin continued to threaten, twice going close with efforts that tested Afghanistan’s defence.
• The scare of the match came in the 71st minute, when Afghanistan’s Yama Sherzad forced Gurpreet into a fingertip save that deflected the shot onto the crossbar.

India’s defenders, led by Anwar Ali—later named Player of the Match—stood firm as the Lions of Khorasan pressed for a late winner.

India’s Journey So Far in the CAFA Nations Cup

With four points, India’s campaign now hinges on Iran’s ability to stop Tajikistan. A win or draw for the Iranians will see the Blue Tigers continue their journey in the third-place playoff.

Qualification Scenarios Resolved

With Iran drawing 2-2 against Tajikistan, the group standings fell perfectly for India. The Blue Tigers’ superior head-to-head record over Tajikistan ensured a second-place finish and a ticket to the third-place playoff on September 8. A win there would give Khalid Jamil’s side their best-ever finish at the CAFA Nations Cup.

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