India’s final CAFA Nations Cup group stage match ended in a goalless draw, continuing their three-year losing streak against Afghanistan. Khalid Jamil’s team managed to secure second place in their group with four points thanks to the draw. Tajikistan, who had previously lost 1-2 to India, lost the head-to-head record but joined India on four points after drawing Iran 2-2.
India will make a spectacular start for their new coach on September 8 when they play in the third-place playoff, defying the pre-tournament predictions of a group-stage exit.Before the game began, Jamil only addressed the cameras, “We are prepared for this match,” This match is crucial. To get a positive outcome, we need to think positively. With Ashique Kuruniyan, Irfan Yadwad, and Mahesh Singh harassing the Afghanistan defense at every chance, India got off to a fast start. Chances were scarce in the first half, though, as both teams adopted a compact, cautious strategy.
Ashique found him with space in the area with a cutback, giving Yadwad probably the best chance a more clinical striker could have ended, but the striker slipped and fell while trying to shoot with his left foot. Yadwad had plenty of space and missed a shot after Afghanistan’s inability to clear the ball forced it to bounce to him in the area, but the referee had blown for a foul.
After winning the ball in Afghanistan’s box, Ashique also came close, but the Afghan goalkeeper Faisal Hamidi was fast to get the ball. Afghanistan was reduced to long-range pot shots, which Gurpreet Singh Sandhu easily stopped as the first half ended without a goal.
The former bullied the Afghan defenders, but the referee was unimpressed. When Manvir made a brilliant pass that put Jithin through on goal, India came very close to winning, but Hamidi hurried out to stop the Indian winger.
Gurpreet also had to be on the lookout to stop Habibullah Hotak, an 18-year-old Afghanistan rookie, from scoring after a long pass forward, but Gurpreet cleared despite the forward being called offside. Afghanistan nearly scored the game-winning goal in the 70th minute thanks to Vincenzo Annese’s second-half replacements.
Alireza Panahi, who reached the byline and fired a low cutback that was asking to be turned into the net, did a good job of holding off Uvais down Afghanistan’s right wing. With a first-time attempt that appeared to be headed for the net, Yama Sherzad complied, but Gurpreet made a fantastic reflex stop by sticking out an arm and deflecting the ball onto the crossbar.
Jamil’s aggressive adjustments for India didn’t work out, and as the game came to a close, Afghanistan increased the pressure. India held on for the draw and a chance at third place in the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup after a few of set pieces saw shots that Gurpreet easily stopped.
