India vs Afghanistan ends in goalless draw

The Indian men’s football team played out a 0-0 draw against Afghanistan in their final Group B match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Dushanbe on Thursday.

The draw meant that India are now placed second in Group B with four points from three games and will progress to the third-place playoffs as long as the Islamic Republic of Iran doesn’t lose to Tajikistan later today.

India had earlier beaten Tajikistan 2-1 in their opening match of the tournament before going down 3-0 against table toppers and defending champions Iran in their second outing.

Even if the Iran vs Tajikistan match is a draw, India will go through by virtue of their better head-to-head record over the co-hosts.

India looked composed at the back in the first half while creating clearer chances, with Afghanistan largely restricted to long-range efforts.

Ashique Kuruniyan and Irfan Yadwad proved the most enterprising in attack, combining in the 16th minute when the former’s cutback found the latter only for his first-time effort to drift wide.

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