Tajikistan vs India Player ratings : Anwar Ali, Gurpreet shine; Vikram, Irfan disappoint

The match ended in a 2-1 victory for the Blue Tigers.

India’s men’s football team announced their arrival as they showed their potential at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 by defeating Tajikistan 2-1 in a gripping contest at Hisor’s Central Stadium.

The Blue Tigers took the lead with an early header from Anwar Ali, which was followed by a finishing header from Sandesh Jhingan. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was brilliant with his crucial saves and stopping a penalty that kept India in the lead. While Shahrom Samiev’s goal only made the game more intens,e Tajikistan could not equalise, thereby giving the Blue Tigers a much needed victory.

It was the perfect debut for Khalid Jamil as the head coach of the Blue Tigers, and it also marked a historic win which is India’s first win over Tajikistan in 17 years.

Also Read: Khalid Jamil’s India thump Tajikistan to kick off new era in style

Tajikistan Player Ratings – By Preethi

Muhriddin Hasanov – 6/10

His early fumbles gifted the Blue Tigers two goals in the first half putting Tajikistan under pressure. But he redeemed himself with sharp saves and a good ball distribution

Akhtam Nazarov – 7/10

Nazarov was commanding from start to finish, and was the heartbeat of the backline. He read the game well, stepping in at the exact right moments. He was constantly seen threatening the Blue Tigers.

Zoir Dzhuraboev – 6.5/10

Dzhuraboev was strong defensively and was calm in one-on-ones against The Men in Blue. He also kept moving forward, pushing up to try with his headers and create chances for the attack.

Alijon Karomatullozada – 6.5/10

He was good at the back, was reading the game well and stepped in to win back possession at crucial moments. He also linked up smartly with teammates, keeping the momentum steady.

Manuchehr Safarov – 7/10

Safarov was good with his long throw-ins and his set-piece delivery. His freekicks kept the Indian defence on edge, and he also created a few chances.

Alisher Jalilov – 6.5/10

Jalilov was good with his physical play, using strength to dominate the duels. His set-piece delivery was another positive, adding precision in the attacking situations for Tajikistan.

Alisher Shukurov – 6/10

Shukurov had a decent game but couldn’t make a huge impact. He won duels and pulled off a couple of quick dribbles, but overall it was a fairly steady and decent performance.

Sheriddin Boboev – 6.5/10

He was reading the situations well and was good defensively. His link-up play between defense and attack was smooth. In addition to that, his ball control under the immense pressure made him a reliable player

Shervoni Mabatshoev – 7/10

Shervoni Mabatshoev was reliable with his throw-ins and was constantly giving his team a chance to score from. Not just by serving, he was also sharp in converting chances while also trying to create chances for others.

Ehsoni Panshanbe – 7.5/10

Panshanbe was the Tajikistan team’s playmaker and he was looking to break the Team India’s defense. His well-timed runs and sharp passing earned him an assist, while his set-piece delivery was another positive throughout the game

Shahrom Samiev – 7.5/10

He was a constant attack and made some brilliant runs that tested Team India’s defense time and again. He kept finding space and driving the team forward. His efforts were rightly rewarded with a goal.

Substitutions

Rustam Soirov – 6.5/10

Came on in the 60th minute, injecting fresh energy into the team replacing Showed intent with a few creative runs and attempts to set up chances, but nothing capitalised. His penalty attempt in the 73rd minute was decline by Gupreet.

Vahdat Hanonov -7/10

Hanonov was constantly trying to create chances in the final third, He easily passed by the defenders and had a few clever passes. His biggest moment was during the added time, when he missed a clear chance that could have changed the outcome of the game.

Team India Player Ratings – By Niranjan R Prabhu

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 8.5/10

Gurpreet came on to the starting eleven after a long gap, and the veteran proved why he shouldbe a regular starter under the Khalid era.

Came out of his line multiple times, had the reflexes and made some point-blank saves during the chaos in the penalty box to somehow keep the Blue Tigers alive in the game. Made a crucial save off a penalty and helped seal the victory for India.

Muhammed Uvais – 7/10

The debutant had a solid start to his national team career as an early long throw from the playerduring the initial minutes laid the foundation for India breaking the deadlock. Was alert in theback and did remarkably well to keep the opponents away from penetrating into the penalty box.

Anwar Ali – 9/10

What a start to the Khalid Jamil era 🔥#TJKIND #CAFANationsCup2025 #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/wIzT36meb9

— FanCode (@FanCode) August 29, 2025

Anwar Ali had excellent presence of mind and was essentially the fox in the box. Lurked in the18-yard box whenever his teammates had the ball and easily headed in the opener for the BlueTigers. Minutes later, Anwar provided a cross inside the six-yard box, which paved the way forhis team to double their advantage. In the defence, the centre-back did well to resist theopponent’s attacks.

Sandesh Jhingan – 8.5/10

Jhingan ventured deep into the attacking third and scored the second goal for the Blue Tigersafter tapping in the deflected ball from the Tajikistan keeper. The centre-back stood tall and wasalways the favourite to win the aerial balls as he cleared away multiple set-piece attempts fromthe opponents. Jhingan was very physical, forcing errors from the opponents and dominatingthroughout the game.

Rahul Bheke – 7/10

Rahul Bheke was the silent warrior for India in the match. Whenever the opponents made theirattacks from the wings, Bheke kept his eyes on the ball and intercepted each and every attemptto neutralise the attacking initiatives. A header attempt he took in the 13th minute, though savedby the keeper, went straight to Jhingan, who tapped in the second goal.

Jeakson Singh Thounaojam – 6/10

Jeakson Singh was booked by the referee quite early in the game and was seen playing in asafer side in the remaining minutes. Gifted away possession to the opponents multiple times inthe midfield. The 24-year-old could have wished for a better performance.

Vikram Partap Singh – 6.5/10

Vikram made some accelerated overlapping runs whenever Irfan had the ball in the attackinghalf. Though he lacked finishing, his moves mounted pressure on the Tajikistan players to alarge extent. Conceded an ambiguous penalty, but to his fortune, Gurpreet denied it with vigour.

Suresh Singh Wangjam – 6/10

Tried to move forward with the ball and craft play for India, but almost every time, the opponentshad the better of him. However, his performance cannot be underrated as Suresh’s presence inthe midfield to win the ball from the opponents turned pivotal for India.

Ashique Kuruniyan – 6.5/10

Ashique was very lively on the left flank, right from kickoff and delivered some good crossesinside the six-yard box to create confusion in the Tajik backline. Later, he troubled theopponents with his poetry-like moves and had a satisfactory day at the office.

Irfan Yadwad – 6/10

Irfan did not have the best hour on the pitch as he was unable to help the team significantly inthe attack. Adding to his dismay, whenever he got chances to make some attacking moves, helacked support from his teammates. In the second half, he was subject to a rash foul and wassubbed off as a precautionary measure by Khalid Jamil.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 6/10

Chhangte was good with some quick passes and off-the-ball runs and kept knocking on theTajikistan doors on multiple occasions. Everything looked good until the player came to the finalthird, where he struggled to create chances for his side.

Substitutions

Nikhil Prabhu – 6/10

Came in as a substitute early in the first half and did well in the midfield.

Danish Farooq – 6/10

Maintained composure and made some last-ditch tackles when Tajikistan went all-out attack inthe final minutes.

Mahesh Singh Naorem – 6.5/10

Mahesh initiated some counterattacks and took his chance at goal.

Chinglensana Singh – 6/10

Cleared away the ball in the last minutes of the game.

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