India eyes last year’s loss revenge as they face tricky Afghanistan

HISOR: Revenge for their shock loss last year will be on their minds when India faces Afghanistan in their last group match of the CAFA Nations Cup here on Thursday.

India, then under Igor Stimac, had suffered an embarrassing 1-2 defeat against Afghanistan in Guwahati in a FIFA World Cup qualifying round match in March 2024, and the current team under Khalid Jamil would be eager to make amends of that loss.

The Blue Tigers have so far won one match (2-1 against Tajikistan) and lost one (0-3 against Iran). They are tied on three points with Tajikistan, but ahead by virtue of a better head-to-head record.

The top teams from each group will progress to the final, while the two second-placed teams will make it to the third-place match, both to take place on September 8.

As things stand, the Blue Tigers need a win against Afghanistan, and hope that Tajikistan do not win against Iran in Thursday's second game, in order to progress further.

A draw against Afghanistan may also be enough for India to finish in top-2 in Group B, if Iran either win or draw against Tajikistan.

However, a defeat against Afghanistan will result in India's elimination, as Tajikistan, in such a scenario, will have the better goal difference in the matches played among the three teams who would end up on three points each (Tajikistan, India and Afghanistan).

India head coach Khalid Jamil, however, is not thinking of such permutations and combinations ahead of the crucial tie.

“We are not thinking of all such scenarios at this point. There is no point to it. We will go into the game looking for a win. It's as simple as that,” Jamil said.

Jhingan ruled out of tournament

Star Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan has been ruled out of the rest of the CAFA Nations Cup matches after sustaining an injury during the team's 0-3 defeat to Iran here.

"Defender Sandesh Jhingan had sustained an injury during India's CAFA Nations Cup 2025 match against Iran, and has been ruled out of the remaining matches. He will return to India today," posted All India Football Federation (AIFF) on 'X'.

World No. 133 India had scored through defenders Anwar Ali (5th) and Jhingan (13th) to upset the 106th-ranked Tajikistan in their opening match of the eight-team tournament.