India vs Tajikistan: Head-to-Head record

India will take on the co-hosts Tajikistan in the opening fixture of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025.

The Indian football team are embarking on a new journey with a new master presiding over the progression. The former international Khalid Jamil has taken charge of the Indian team after his recent appointment as the head coach. The last 12 months have been nothing short of a disaster for the Blue Tigers. Jamil has been brought in to turn things around.

The first headline assignment in Khalid Jamil’s era is the CAFA Nations Cup. The Blue Tigers are making their maiden appearance in the 8-nation biennial tournament. The Blue Tigers will play their first match against Tajikistan. Both teams are placed in the same group alongside Iran and Afghanistan.

This tournament is a tough test for the Blue Tigers, a team that has only won a handful of matches in the last two years. Before facing the mighty Iran, India will face Tajikistan on August 29. In the absence of some key players, Khalid Jamil might find it tricky to face the opposition that has had the upper hand in the last few meetings.

Also Read: ‘We must play as a unit’: Newly-appointed India coach Khalid Jamil confident ahead of CAFA Nations Cup 2025

Head-to-head record against Tajikistan

India and Tajikistan have always been a heated fixture with some consequential results. Two countries have met five times in the past. The first time these two teams clashed was back in 2008. In the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup, the Blue Tigers and Tajikistan were drawn in the same group. The group stage affair ended in a 1-1 draw.

However, that was not the end. These two again came up against each other, but this time in a high-stakes final. The Blue Tigers managed to trump Tajikistan in a memorable 4-1 win to win the AFC Challenge Cup. This remarkable result marked the peak of Bob Houghton’s tenure as the national team manager.

Four years later, there was another fixture between the two, which resulted in a comfortable 2-0 victory for Tajikistan. Since then, Tajikistan have always emerged victorious whenever they have faced India. In the last two encounters, in 2013 and 2019, Tajikistan outclassed the Blue Tigers with dominant performances. Registering a 3-0 win in 2013 and a 4-2 convincing result in 2019, the co-hosts of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 would be approaching this match with a mindset to continue their dominance over India.

India vs Tajikistan: All-time head-to-head record

• Total matches played: 5
• India wins: 1
• Draws: 1
• Tajikistan wins: 3

Tajikistan will have pressure to prove themselves in front of their home crowd, while India will feel the heat of an anxious transition. The result of this match will have a significant impact on the campaign of both teams. With an edge in recent meetings and familiar surroundings, Tajikistan will start as favourites.

But if the Blue Tigers manage to pull off a result, a young side will grow in confidence. For Khalid Jamil, it is important to start off his tenure on a positive note. The young players have an opportunity to justify their call-up to the squad in a tournament that will mark the beginning of a new era for India.

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