CAFA Nations Cup semifinal hopes hang on Iran-Tajikistan clash
Hisor, Sep 4: The Indian football team was forced to settle for a goalless draw against Afghanistan in the CAFA Nations Cup on Thursday, a result that keeps their hopes of reaching the third-fourth place playoff alive but leaves qualification dependent on the outcome of the other group fixture.
The Blue Tigers, led by newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil, went into the contest seeking three points to secure their place in the knockout round. Instead, they found themselves frustrated by a resilient Afghan defence and their own missed opportunities in front of goal. India now sit level on three points with co-hosts Tajikistan but hold the advantage owing to a better head-to-head record.
However, the equation is far from straightforward. Should Iran, the favourites to top the group, defeat Tajikistan later on Thursday, India will advance to the playoff. But if Tajikistan manage to snatch a draw, they will edge past India into the final four courtesy of a superior goal difference. Afghanistan, who are yet to win a match, are officially out of the tournament.
Missed chances prove costly
India began brightly, dominating possession and carving out multiple openings in the first half. Yet their inability to convert was once again evident, with chances either wasted or denied by some disciplined Afghan defending. Afghanistan themselves came close on a few occasions, particularly after the break when they forced Gurpreet Singh Sandhu into a crucial save. A handful of attempts flew just wide, keeping the contest tense until the final whistle.
For Jamil, this result carries a bittersweet tone. His tenure as national coach began on a promising note, with the side showing flashes of organisation and intent. But Thursday’s stalemate adds to a growing narrative of India struggling to finish off games despite creating opportunities.
Context and recent history
The match also came with a recent history between the two sides. India had suffered a setback against Afghanistan in March this year during the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a defeat that exposed frailties in their attack. While the Blue Tigers were determined to set the record straight in Hisor, their inability to find the back of the net mirrored old problems.
Jamil’s tactical choices have generally been sound, though his earlier decision to alter formation in the second half against Iran had backfired, leading to India conceding under pressure from Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh. Against Afghanistan, however, the challenge was not about shape but about sharpness and composure in the final third.
Looking ahead
Ranked 133rd in the world, India were expected to assert themselves against the 161st-ranked Afghans. Instead, they leave with a solitary point that places their destiny outside their control. Despite flashes of promise — especially against Iran where they troubled the Asian giants in patches — India continue to struggle with consistency in attack.
For Jamil, the priority now is to push his players out of a defensive shell and instill more confidence going forward.
With India still in contention for a third-place playoff, the tournament provides a valuable opportunity to test attacking combinations and build momentum ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
As things stand, all eyes now turn to Iran’s clash with Tajikistan. A victory for the former will hand India another chance to prove themselves in the playoff, while anything less will see their campaign end prematurely in the group stage. (Agencies)
