Khalid Jamil's India thump Tajikistan to kick off new era in style

India managed to register their first win against Tajikistan in 17 years.

Indian football team have made a victorious start to their campaign in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. The Blue Tigers managed to pull off a valiant result as they beat Tajikistan 2-1 in a thriller. Khalid Jamil’s era as the Indian head coach has started off with a win, something that his predecessors, Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez, could not do.

The Indian team scored two goals, both of them coming from the centre-back pairing of Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali. It took a massive effort between the sticks from the captain, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, to take India across the finishing line. He also saved a crucial penalty that kept India’s narrow lead in play.

And there goes the final whistle! Khalid Jamil-era begins with a WIN for India! Anwar Ali and Sandesh Jhingan scored for the Blue Tigers in the first half as they edged Tajikistan 2-1 in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 opener! #IndianFootball #IndianFootballTeam pic.twitter.com/9qPz5xz2eB

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 29, 2025

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

Unbelievable first half for India

Khalid Jamil’s imprints were clearly visible on the structure of the team and the combination with which India were playing. The newly appointed coach went with his tried and tested 4-4-1-1 formation. The plan that India deployed was an expected one. The Blue Tigers started cautiously but did not hold back long aerials whenever they got the opportunity.

The first attack for the Blue Tigers came from the left courtesy of Ashique Kuruniyan’s cross that ended up giving India their first corner. This first move showed that India were mindful of Tajikistan’s attacking threat but were keen to capitalise on moments moving forward.

The big breakthrough for India came in the fourth minute. Muhammad Uvais, the debutant left-back, took a long throw-in that ended up in the box, creating chaos that rattled the opposition defence.

The Blue Tigers pounced on the opportunity as Anwar Ali headed a rebound off a Tajikistan player into the goal, giving India the precious lead. This was India’s first goal in the last three games. A classic Khalid Jamil move to rely on a long throw-in paid off for the visitors.

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

— FanCode (@FanCode) August 29, 2025

The Blue Tigers returned to their plan of maintaining a mid-block in a 4-4-2 formation after scoring the first goal. India got another throw-in in the 12th minute, which was taken short by Uvais towards Lallianzuala Chhangte, who passed it back to Uvais. The left-back delivered a looping cross in the box that fell to Anwar Ali on the right.

The centre back sent another cross in the box instantly, which was headed towards goal by Rahul Bheke. The header was blocked by the goalkeeper, but again a rebound proved costly to them as Sandesh Jhingan rippled the net to double the lead.

The match followed a similar script throughout the first half. The Blue Tigers tried to keep it compact and mostly played without the ball as Tajikistan had the lion’s share of possession. Keeping the ball helped the hosts as they created a beautiful, creative move through Sheriddin Boboev that was later buried by clinical Shahrom Samiev. A mishap in communication between Sandesh and Gurpreet led to Samiev finding an easy opener for Tajikistan.

Tajikistan’s relentless onslaught

The second half started with Tajikistan going all guns blazing. The hosts picked up where they left off in the first half. Tajikistan got their first opportunity to make an impact in the 47th minute when they earned a free kick just outside the box. They tried a peculiar routine as a short free kick was taken with the intention to bring Alisher Jalilov into play, who took a shot on his first touch, forcing Gurpreet to make a diving save.

The Blue Tigers had to sit deep in their box as Tajikistan made a flurry of attacks to find that precious equalizer. Shahrom Samiev and Rustam Soirov, who came from the bench, were making a great impact with the runs that were proving to be a menace for the Blue Tigers.

Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali were having a tough time tracking those runs, but they somehow managed to keep them at bay. The Blue Tigers continued to show their defensive resilience as desperation started creeping into the Tajikistan camp.

Bodies on the line for India

The last half hour was a nail-biting thriller for fans. With a slender one-goal lead, things were on the edge. In the 72nd minute, the Blue Tigers conceded a penalty in the box as Vikram Partap Singh made heavy contact with Rustom Soirov, who hit the deck, prompting the referee to award a penalty to Tajikistan.

But it was the night of redemption for the Indian custodian, making a comeback into the team. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a match-winning save for the Blue Tigers. He went in the opposite direction, but his giant frame didn’t let Soirov’s penalty kick into the goal, as the shot was blocked by his flailing feet. This was the decisive moment in the match, as an equaliser would have proved deadly for India with Tajikistan dictating the game.

They don't call him the wall for no reason 🧱😌@GurpreetGK 🧤#TJKIND #CAFANationsCup2025 #BlueTigers #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/x9Wu3CkuLc

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) August 29, 2025

Khalid Jamil made defensive changes in the last quarter of the game. Naorem Roshan Singh and Chinglensana Singh were brought on to bolster the defense. The Blue Tigers defended in the last eight added minutes as if their lives depended on the result of the match.

Khalid Jamil’s India went on to keep the lead intact and see off the game, kicking off a new era under an domestic coach. This victory would do wonders for a young side as they have beaten a higher-ranked Tajikistan after 17 years, at their home and in front of a packed crowd.

India Playing XI – Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK) (C), Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Suresh Singh Wangjam (Nikhil Prabhu 55’), Vikram Partap Singh, Irfan Yadwad(Naorem Roshan Singh 85’, Muhammed Uvais Moyikkal, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam (Danish Farooq 55’),Ashique Kuruniyan (Chinglensana Singh Konsham 85’).

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