Kolkata, September 1: In the CAFA Nations League 2025 clash, India’s defensive resilience lasted only a half as defending champions Iran eventually broke through to claim a 3-0 victory on Monday evening, at Hisor Central Stadium, Tajikistan.
The opening 45 minutes saw India sit deep, absorbing wave after wave of Iranian pressure. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was once again the backbone of the Blue Tigers’ resistance, pulling off crucial saves, first denying an early long-range effort and later stopping a powerful strike from inside the box.
At the 15th minute mark, Amir whipped in a dangerous ball from the right, however Sandesh Jhingan intercept with a vital block. Two minutes later, Ashique Kuruniyan tracked back brilliantly to deny a cross, though Hazbavi’s header from the resulting corner went off target.
Rahimabadi then missed a golden chance in the 31st minute, sending the ball high over the bar from close to goal line inside the box. Gurpreet pulled off another fine stop at 36th minute diving low to deny a powerful left-footed strike.
Blue Tiger’s only notable attacking move came in the 34th minute, when Vikram Pratap Singh sprinted down the flank and whipped in a cross, which Iran’s defense cleared. The half ended goalless, with India’s disciplined defense frustrating Iran.
Sandesh Jhingan and Rahul Bheke led the defensive line with determination, while Ashique Kuruniyan and Vikram Singh tracked back tirelessly to block crosses and reduce space. Despite Iran winning multiple corners, India’s compact shape hold the grip, taking the game into half-time goalless.
The second half, however, tilted firmly in Iran’s favour. In the 59th minute, Amirhossein broke the deadlock after Rahul Bheke failed to clear a cross, leaving the forward free to slot the ball past Gurpreet. From then on, Blue Tiger’s defense began to wear down under constant pressure.
And in the 89th minute, Jahanbakhsh’s strike was saved by Gurpreet but bounced off the bar, allowing Ali Aliporghara from the left side of the box, to placed the rebound into the net for 2-0. India barely threatened going forward, with Jeakson Singh’s long-range strike in additional time, at 90+5th minute, being their only attempt on goal. Minutes later, Jahanbakhsh again turned provider, setting up Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi to finish past a tiring Indian defense and seal a 3-0 victory.
India once again failed to recreate the magic of 1959, when they last defeated Iran. Sixty-six years later, the 20th-ranked side in the FIFA rankings showed their class, breaking down India’s defensive wall and cruising to a 3-0 victory. Iran showed why they are one of Asia’s strongest, while Khalid Jamil’s men’s can take heart from their disciplined first-half display and the experience gained from facing such a high-level opponent.
India will next face Afghanistan on September 4 in their final group fixture, while Iran will take on hosts Tajikistan on the same day. Both matches will be crucial in deciding the group B standings of the CAFA Nations League.
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