CAFA NATIONS CUP
New Delhi, Sep 6: The Indian men’s football team will lock horns with Oman in the third-place playoff game of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Monday.
Oman finished second in Group A behind group leaders Uzbekistan on Friday despite securing the same number of points.
They will aim to end their campaign on a high by maintaining their undefeated streak in the tournament. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan will play the final against Group B toppers Iran.
The Blue Tigers secured their place in the third-place match after a goalless draw against Afghanistan in their last group fixture on Thursday. Their qualification was confirmed only after Iran and Tajikistan played out a 2-2 draw later in the day, as per the ISL website.
Khalid Jamil’s side concluded the group stage with four points from three matches, having secured a win, draw and a loss.
Iran finished first with seven points, while hosts Tajikistan also collected four points but were edged out by India on the head-to-head rule, courtesy of the Blue Tigers’ 2-1 victory against them in the opening game.
Afghanistan, with just one point, exited the tournament without a win.For Jamil’s men, the playoff clash offers a chance to finish on the podium while Oman will be eager to preserve their unbeaten run and cap off the tournament with a strong finish.
On Friday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and FC Goa said in a joint statement that Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan suffered a cheekbone fracture during India’s CAFA Nations Cup 2025 match against Iran.
Jhingan suffered the injury during the first half of the game against Iran, which India 0-3, lost but continued on the pitch and played the entire 90 minutes, once again proving to be a true warrior for the Men in Blue. He was subsequently ruled out of the remaining CAFA Cup matches and returned to India on Wednesday.
With the stage now set for the third-place playoff, India will be eager to put behind the disappointment of missing out on the final and focus on delivering a strong, composed performance against Oman.
The clash carries more than just the prospect of finishing on the podium — it is an opportunity for Khalid Jamil’s men to showcase resilience, depth, and a fighting spirit that has defined their campaign so far. While Oman will be determined to safeguard their unbeaten record and establish themselves as one of the region’s most consistent sides, the Blue Tigers will look to rally in the absence of Sandesh Jhingan, whose grit and determination have already left a mark on the tournament despite his injury setback. Monday’s fixture, therefore, promises to be a true test of character, where India’s young talents and seasoned campaigners will be tasked with rising to the occasion, drawing inspiration from their opening win against Tajikistan, and ending the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 with a performance that reflects both progress and promise for the future of Indian football.As the curtain falls on the group stages and the focus shifts to the battle for third place, all eyes will be on how India respond to the challenges that lie ahead. The Blue Tigers have shown flashes of promise throughout the tournament — from their spirited victory over hosts Tajikistan to their disciplined effort in grinding out a point against Afghanistan — but consistency and finishing have remained areas of concern. Against an Oman side that has looked solid, well-organised, and unbeaten so far, Khalid Jamil’s men will need to summon every ounce of determination, tactical awareness, and collective grit if they are to stake a claim on the podium.
For a team that has dealt with setbacks, including the untimely injury to defensive stalwart Sandesh Jhingan, the playoff offers a golden opportunity to turn adversity into motivation and prove their mettle against a formidable opponent.
More than just a battle for third, Monday’s encounter is a chance for India to underline their growing competitiveness on the continental stage, to give their supporters a reason to believe, and to finish their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign with pride, purpose, and momentum for the challenges that lie ahead. (PTI)