India vs Afghanistan HIGHLIGHTS CAFA Nations Cup: IND held to goalless draw by AFG
Both sides couldn't find the breakthrough as India remain alive in the contention for that 3rd place playoff spot.
IND vs AFG
India were held to a goalless draw by Afghanistan in their final Group B match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 in Hisor, Tajikistan. Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, the Blue Tigers failed to find the net, leaving their hopes of securing a third-place playoff spot hanging in the balance.
The match started with both sides cautiously feeling each other out, but India gradually gained control. Irfan Yadwad missed an early chance after a cutback from Ashique Kuruniyan, while Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a sharp save to deny Afghanistan’s No. 9 from long range. Jithin M.S. also came close with a shot that flew just over the bar before half-time, which ended 0-0.
In the second half, India upped the tempo. Vikram Pratap Singh brought fresh energy off the bench, and Mahesh Singh came close to setting up Jithin for a one-on-one, but the Afghan keeper was alert. A crucial moment came in the 70th minute when Gurpreet pulled off a vital save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar after a defensive lapse left an Afghan attacker unmarked.
Khalid Jamil made attacking substitutions, bringing on Udanta Singh and Danish Farooq, but the breakthrough never came. Afghanistan defended resolutely and slowed the game down, frustrating India in the dying minutes. Four minutes of added time weren't enough for India to make a difference.
While India finish the group stage with four points, their fate now depends on the outcome of the Iran vs Tajikistan game. A win or draw for Iran will push India into the third-place playoff.
It was a missed opportunity for the Blue Tigers, who lacked cutting edge in front of goal but remain alive in the tournament—just barely.
CAFA Nations Cup 2025 India vs Afghanistan: Probable Starting 11
Afghanistan starting XI: Faisal Hamidi, Zelfagar Nazary (C), Amid Arezou, Mahboob Hanifi, Balal Arezou, Taufee Skandari, Qamaruddin Kouhyar, Yama Sherzad, Mohammad Rahimi, Ali Panahi, Omid Musawi
India starting XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hmingthan Mawia, Rahul Bheke (C), Anwar Ali, Muhammed Uvais, Nikhil Jayantha, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Ashique Kuruniyan, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Jithin M.S., Irfan Yadwad
7:28 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: It ends 0-0!
A chance wasted by India to get the three points as the tie ended in a goalless draw on the night. Both teams end up sharing the spoils as India are still very much alive with 4 points for that 3rd place playoff spot. But now everything depends on the result of the game between Tajikistan and Iran.
7:26 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: AFG get a freekick!
Afghanistan get a free-kick late in the tie as Vikram brings down the forward.
7:23 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: 4 minutes added!
The final 4 minutes in the tie now as India fail to utiliise the counter.
7:17 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Final 5 minutes!
AFG targetting that left flank to put the balls inside the box in the final minutes as India are resolute with their defence so far.
7:13 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: India make a double change!
Jithin and Suresh Wangjam come off for Udanta and Danish as Khalid Jamil looks to forward to finding the net in the last 10 minutes now.
7:11 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Time running out for India!
Indian players are getting frustrated with the wasted attacks as the Afghan players seem to be taking to the ground quite often now. A possible attempt to run out the clock by them?
7:03 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: AFG get close!
The attacker is left open inside the box after a corner as he tries to put the ball into the back of the net but is prevented by Gurpreet who saves it onto the crossbar in the 70th minute. Khalid furious with his defence who left a player unmarked inside the box.
6:59 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Changes for AFG!
Musawi and Arezou are off as Afghanistan make attacking changes in the latter part of the half.
6:56 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: AFG on the back foot!
AFG are busy defending their box at the moment with India getting the major chunk of chances. 25 minutes left in the game now.
6:49 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Good intent by India!
Good ball by Mahesh for Jithin in the 56th minute as he was just a tad bit far of the ball to go on a 1v1 with the keeper. The keeper clears the through ball though.
6:45 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Vikram bringing in some energy!
Vikram Pratap Singh has been subbed in and has brought some energy to the left flank. Still needs to create a chance on the day though.
6:38 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: 2nd half kicks off!
The final 45 minutes have begun with India needing an opener as soon as possible to lock in that 3rd place playoff spot.
6:21 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: All square at half-time!
The players go down the tunnel with the score at 0-0 as the third place playoff spot is still up for grabs for both of teams.
6:20 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: Jitin goes just high!
A shot on the half turn by jitin goes just above the crossbar as the half-time whistle gets closer and closer.
6:16 PM
India vs Afghanistan LIVE SCORE UPDATES: 5 minutes added!
Another 5 minutes added as another Afghan player goes down as Irfan gets a yellow card for the coming together this time.
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First Published: Sep 04 2025 | 4:29 PM IST
