Afghanistan vs India: Wasted chances, Gurpreet's resurgence and other talking points

India are in the second spot after playing out a draw

Indian football team finished off the group stages of the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Afghanistan in their clash on Thursday (4th September, 2025). In what was a relatively cagey game, both teams had their share of chances, but neither were really able to convert them that well throughout the 90 minutes.

The Blue Tigers showed shades of promise in the first half, creating quite a few chances, but lacked that killer instinct in the final third. Afghanistan were able to test Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with some troublesome chances, but were unable to clinically finish off any chances at their disposal.

Despite it ending as a goalless draw, there were many notable takeaways from the game. This pertains to the state of some crucial areas in the Indian squad and certain issues that need to be improved upon going forward. Here we look at the talking points of the India vs Afghanistan clash.

Also Read: Afghanistan vs India Highlights: Follow CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Replay

5. Irfan Yadwad wastes chance to up take up India no.9 role

Khalid Jamil showed a lot of faith on Irfan Yadwad by starting him up front for India for the third successive game in the Cafa Nations Cup. That is even though the Chennaiyin FC forward struggled to make any kind of impact in the last two games, and things didn’t really improve for him against Afghanistan.

Irfan showed some positive energy in the start of the game, pressing the opposition defenders well and linking up nicely enough.

However, whenever he received the ball in the final third, he ended up wasting chances or giving it away to the opposition players. Yadwad continus to lack that ruthlessness in finishing off chances in the key attacking areas and is unable to get at the end opportunities that well in the box either.

It won’t be surprising if Jamil ends up having to bring back Sunil Chhetri to lead the line for India going forward.

4. Naorem Mahesh Singh frustrated by lack of attacking support

Naorem Mahesh Singh was arguably one of India’s brightest players in the draw against Afghanistan, because he at least tried to get things done in the opposition half. Singh always made himself available in the attacking positions, and worked really hard to drive his side forward on a good number of transitions.

The East Bengal skipper was able to dribble past bodies on quite a few opportunities, while his delivery into the box was pretty good as he whipped in some inviting crosses from set pieces.

However, Mahesh had very little support in the attacking areas from his teammates. Neither of his midfield partners showed willingness to link up with him in the final third and Mahesh was often frustrated by the lack of options around him.

In order for Mahesh to perform at the best level for India, he needs more adventurous teammates who are able to link up with him smartly in the danger zones in and outside the box.

3. Industrious Jithin MS proves case in first international start

Jithin MS earned his first start for the Indian football team after having worked hard to force Jamil to give him a start against Afghanistan.

The NorthEast United midfielder looked charged up and determined to make his presence felt in the game, and he was able to produce some encouraging stuff in the opposition half.

Jithin covered a lot of ground by helping out defensively, carrying the ball forward into key areas and often popping up in the danger zones.

He had a few efforts thwarted, but Jithin’s clever off-the-ball movement and link-up play kept the opposition players on their toes for the majority of the game.

Even though he will have to work hard to be more efficient with his work in the final third, Jithin has the energy and fearlessness to continue playing for India for the foreseeable future.

2. Khalid Jamil’s substitutions fail to deliver

Khalid Jamil tried his best to ensure India could be more clinical in the second half against Afghanistan after seeing his side go close to scoring a few times in the first half.

He brought on Vikram Partap Singh and Manvir Singh (Jr) at the start of the second half, hoping for more positive energy in the frontline and more ruthlessness to his side.

However, the substitutions ended up falling flat on flat. India were unable to create any major chances in the second half, with neither Vikram nor Manvir being able to trouble the defenders.

Even Lallianzuala Chhangte’s introduction late in the second half couldn’t elevate the Blue Tigers’ attacking threat, with the Mumbai City forward being sloppy with his product. Jamil has to be smarter in being able to make more impactful substitutions, especially when his side needs goals, because his substitutions in this game just didn’t work out.

1. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu reaffirms place as undisputed India no.1

India’s biggest positive from the draw against Afghanistan was arguably the heroics of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The Bengaluru FC goalkeeper was on point with his work in between the sticks, as he came up big to save his side from a potential loss.

Singh was often stretched into making a number of clutch saves, especially a huge fingertip stop that diverted to the bar in the second half.

Gurpreet was able to bail out his defenders’ mistakes many times, coming up with sharp saves to frustrate the Afghanistan players. Sandhu’s performances at the Cafa Nations Cup have been really encouraging and a proof that he is ready to remain as the India’s no.1 for the long term now.

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