India’s Khalid Jamil era kicks off with 2-1 win over Tajikistan

The Indian men’s football team began the Khalid Jamil era with a 2-1 win over Tajikistan in their opening match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Dushanbe on Saturday.

Defenders Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan found the back of the net for world No. 133 India, while 106th-ranked Tajikistan’s goal was scored by Shahrom Samiev. This was the Blue Tigers’ first win against Tajikistan after 17 years.

The hosts saw plenty of the ball early on but failed to make it count, while India looked the more dangerous side going forward.

Ashique Kuruniyan created the first opening with a teasing cross from the left that nearly found Lallianzuala Chhangte before Tajikistan scrambled clear.

India broke the deadlock in the fifth minute through a long throw from Muhammad Uvais that Anwar Ali headed goalwards to force a clearance off the line.

However, Tajikistan’s failure to fully deal with the danger and clear the ball out of the box proved costly as Anwar pounced again by nodding home another header to give India the lead.

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