U-23 Tri-Nation International Friendly Tournament 2026: Points table update after Tajikistan U23 vs India U23
The Blue Colts didn’t convert their chances
The India U23 men’s team suffered a narrow defeat as they faced the Tajikistan U23 men’s team with a scoreline of 1-0 in the U-23 Tri-Nation International Friendly Tournament 2026. Tajikistan won the tournament, as the visitors defeated the India and Bhutan U23 teams in their two matches.
The Blue Colts entered the clash against Tajikistan with high confidence and attacking intent as they thrashed Bhutan U23 in their previous match. Both sides arrived in this match with an energetic tempo.
The India U23 team made a good start, but the Central Asian nations struck the first and defining goal at the 10th minute through Khaitov. Multiple wrong decisions, referring to defensive lapses and finishing, lacked so much in this game.
India U23 just needs a draw or a win over Tajikistan to get their hands on the trophy, but Tajikistan denied it by winning it.
Let’s take a look at the points table and top goal scorers.
Tajikistan rises as champions
The India U23 men’s team started the game with a good tempo over Tajikistan, as both teams came into the game after wins over Bhutan. The Indian team made some early moves over the Central Asian side to secure a goal as early as possible. The Tajikistan U23 men’s team backed the net early in the 10th minute of the game, as Khaitov scored against the Blue Colts to give the visitors a crucial 1-0 lead. He scored from a good attacking outlet, catching the Indian defence off.
Azizbek’s long-range strike took a deflection off Pramveer Singh’s shoulder, wrong-footing India U23 goalkeeper Mohan Raj, who could not do much to stop the ball from finding its way into the net. Paramveer is going too aggressively at the game, and the goalkeeper Mohan Raj looked very shaky against Tajikistan, but he made some crucial saves in the last.
After conceding one goal, the Blue Colts slowly grew into this game with their control and possession. Hnamte got a yellow card early, but the midfield area looked very decent as they didn’t utilise the space. Tajikistan remained good with their counters.
After a hectic first half, the Indian team looked very poised to secure a draw or win against Tajikistan to lift the trophy. Macarton and Shivaldo were taken off before the second half started.
A rally of attacks from both at 62 minutes, Tomba Singh has a chance to equalise, but he didn’t convert the return ball with the counterattack for Tajikistan, but the Indian goalkeeper Mohan Raj denied it. The Blue Colts are chasing the equaliser.
Multiple referring decisions from the referees’ end haunt the Indian team. Many decisions made by them were questioned about their standards to host an International match like this. An equaliser could be the main thing to win the tournament for the India U23, but the new tactical changes followed from the second half didn’t have that much quality to dictate the tempo. Multiple chances created by the Mahesh Gawali’s boys, but the destiny didn’t last long.
Despite a spirited effort and a flurry of chances, the Blue Colts could not breach the resolute Tajikistan defence, as the visitors held on to secure the victory and lift the U23 Tri-Nation Championship title.
A brief look at the points table
Tajikistan U23 won the U-23 Tri-Nation International Friendly Tournament 2026 with a commanding 1- 0 win over the hosts, India U23 men’s team. The Blue Colts just need a win or a draw over them, but they didn’t convey that in their home stadium. Despite creating several chances, they failed to find the equaliser. The Blue Colts pushed till the very end, but couldn’t convert.
Top goalscorers after India vs Tajikistan
Suhail Bhat, the young Mohun Bagan Super Giant forward, is leading the top goalscorer race with two goals after two games. The rest of the players are all on one goal each.Top goalscorers:
- Suhail Bhat (India U-23) – 2 goals
- Masrur Gafurov (Tajikistan U-23) – 1 goal
- Muhammad Ajsal (India U-23) – 1 goal
- Ricky Meetei (India U-23) – 1 goal
- Tomba Singh (India U-23) – 1 goal
- Azizbek Khaitov (Tajikistan U-23)- 1 goal
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.