Thank you for joining us on the live coverage of the India vs Iran CAFA Nations Cup 2025 contest. India return to action again on Thursday, September 4, when they take on Afghanistan in the final group game. Do join us for that.

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Remember, only the top-placed team of each group makes the final. Iran have 2 wins from 2, and are favourites to go through. India can still make the third-place match should they pull out a positive result against Afghanistan.

Khalid Jamil will be left pondering if his substitutions cost India the match. He decided to bring on a third centre-back when the scores were 0-0, but India conceded soon after. Sana Singh played only 13 minutes, coming on and then being taken off. Lallianzuala Chhangte did not even feature, despite widely being regarded as one of India's best players.

It will be interesting to see how India shape up against Afghanistan.

Khalid Jamil will be pleased with the defensive showing in the first half, with some excellent defending there. But India's lack of creativity in the final third was exposed once again. No shame in losing to Iran, who are ranked 113 places higher than India in the FIFA rankings. Ultimately, the 3-0 score is a tad harsher than India deserve.

Full time! First defeat for Khalid Jamil as India coach. India fought so well in the first half, holding strong defensively. But a couple of defensive changes by Jamil didn't work out. Ultimately, Iran showed their quality, as India failed to execute their chances.

FT | IND 0-3 IRN

90+6' GOAL! Game, set, match. Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbaksh combine to devastating effect. Brilliant throughball to Taremi, who controls it with his right and then finishes past Gurpreet with his left. 3-0!

IND 0-3 IRN

90+4' 6 minutes added on at the end of the second half. Khalid Jamil staring at his first defeat as India head coach. Can India bag a consolation in the dying moments of the match? They get a free-kick in a good area, but it is well defended by Iran. Jeakson Singh also takes a long-range effort and it goes just over the bar!

IND 0-2 IRN

90' GOAL! Iran score their second. A driving run through the middle before Jahanbaksh is sent through on goal. His shot is saved, the rebound falls to Taremi who slams the post, and then the second rebound is bundled home by Ali Alipour. End of hopes for India.

IND 0-2 IRN

86' India's execution in the final third leaving questions to be asked once again. Substitute Jithin MS drives forward a counter-attack, but the throughball to Naorem Mahesh is too heavy. Iran save, India miss an opportunity.

IND 0-1 IRN

77' Brilliant move from India down the right flank, led by Ashique Kuruniyan and then Naorem Mahesh finds Uvais on the overlap with an excellent pass. But what happens next is disappointing. Uvais tries a first-time cross, can't execute it, out for a goalkick.

IND 0-1 IRN

72' Massive show of intent from the Iranian manager. Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbaksh are on the field now. Two players with a lot of pedigree in the top European leagues. Real test in store for the Indian defence in the final 20 minutes.

Jahanbaksh creates a chance almost immediately, but there's no one to receive his cutback.

IND 0-1 IRN

67' 3 more changes for India! But hang on. Chinglensana Singh, who came onto the pitch less than 15 minutes ago, has been substituted off! Very bizarre strategy here, with the Indian head coach probably admitting a mistake there.

Sana, Vikram and Irfan Yadwad go off. Manvir Singh, Naorem Mahesh and Jithin MS are on. Attacking changes!

IND 0-1 IRN

60' GOAL! Finally, Iran have broken the deadlock. Amirhossein opens the scoring for Iran, and India's valiant defence comes to an end. Iran buildup from the left, and Amirhossein ultimately scores a tap-in. Khalid Jamil's defensive substitutions at the start of the second half haven't paid off.

IND 0-1 IRN

56' The defensive heading from India has been top-notch all game. Iran have put in multiple crosses into the box, but led by Jhingan, the Indian defense has been up to the challenge. Khalid Jamil will surely be pleased with the defensive displays.

IND 0-0 IRN

54' Two defensive substitutions from Khalid Jamil. Off go Suresh Wangjam and Danish Farooq, on comes Jeakson Singh and Sana Singh. Three centre-backs on the pitch for India now. 

IND 0-0 IRN

46' Second half starts! India have defended brilliantly so far in this match, and have kept their hopes of topping the group alive. They need another 45 minutes of resolute defending, and maybe get in a shock goal. 

IND 0-0 IRN

India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu still showing his class, even at the age of 33. He has faced a couple of firm shots from the Iranian attack, but has been absolutely faultless so far in his catching. India will hope for another 45 minutes of this level.

IND 0-0 IRN

Half time! India can hold their heads high after the first 45 minutes. Iran may be without two big stars in the form of Taremi and Jahanbaksh, but they're still one of the strongest teams in Asia. Yet, India have defended resolutely, and prevented any big chance. 

Stay tuned, we'll be back for the second half shortly.

HT | IND 0-0 IRN

45+4' Excellent defending from Sandesh Jhingan in the final minute of the first half. Good cross in from the right flank by Iran, and an important touch from Jhingan to put it off-track. And that's the first half! Well done, India.

IND 0-0 IRN

45+1' Four minutes of stoppage time added at the end of the first half. Great defending from India so far, and to be fair, India haven't allowed any massive chance either. Can India shock them and score a goal against the run of play?

IND 0-0 IRN

35' Positive spell for India, as they try to make a couple of chances. However, despite enjoying the ball, they fail to make it count. Vikram Partap Singh and Irfan Yadwad wasting chances on either flank. Soon after, Gurpreet is forced into another save. Low shot.

IND 0-0 IRN

30' Another shot wide from Iran. First-time shot from the left but poorly executed.. They have dominated the ball, launched quite a few attacks at the Indian box, but India have defended resolutely. Positive first 30 minutes for India.

IND 0-0 IRN

24' Yellow card for Ashique Kuruniyan! India lose possession after a poor corner, and Ashique decides to stop the counter-attack by committing a tactical foul on the wing. But it's an early booking for the winger.

IND 0-0 IRN

23' Once again, extremely positive stuff from Ashique Kuruniyan. India get the ball out, and Ashique leads a counter-attack. It's a 2 v 7 scenario, and Ashique just fires from the edge of the box. Takes a deflection and corner.

India buildup from the corner, get a shot away, win another corner, and then waste the second chance. But bright stuff!

IND 0-0 IRN

20' Just wide! Iran take aim from long range, cutting in from the right flank. It's a powerful shot once again, but just wide of the post once again. The Indian players would've had their hearts in their mouth for a moment.

IND 0-0 IRN

17' Excellent defending by Indian winger Ashique Kuruniyan. Iran play a throughball from the back, Ashique tracks back and gets it out for a corner. From the corner, Iran make the connection but it goes wide off the post.

IND 0-0 IRN

12' Iran are dominating possession, as expected. A couple of corners too, but so far, India have warded off every threat. It is clear how the game will pan out -- Iran attack, India defend. Resolute defending so far.

IND 0-0 IRN

6' Save! Iran try to create a chance down the right flank, dispossess India and take a shot from the edge of the box. It's a powerful shot but very well collected by Gurpreet. First chance of the match.

IND 0-0 IRN

1' We are LIVE! India attacking from left to right in the first half, wearing their orange jerseys today. Iran in all white, and the heavy favourites for today's contest. India try an attack down the left straight away, but Iran defend well.

IND 0-0 IRN

The players are about to emerge from the tunnel. A big clash in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. Remember, only the group winner will reach the final. A humongous test for the Indian national football team, but the spirits are high under coach Khalid Jamil.

India experienced a positive start in their first match under new head coach Khalid Jamil, clinching a 2-1 victory over hosts Tajikistan in the first match of the CAFA Nations Cup. But this is Iran -- the reigning champions -- and one of the best teams in Asia. How will Jamil shape his boys up for today?

There is a difference of 113 spots between the two nations in the FIFA rankings.

Mehdi Taremi and Alireza Jahanbaksh -- two of the most recognized players in the Iranian team, are not starting. Here is the starting XI for the side ranked 20th in the FIFA rankings:

Niazmand (GK) - Rezaeian, Zadegan, Hazbavi, Naderi - Amirhossein, Cheshmi, Ahmadi, Noorafkan - Hashemnezhad, Aliyari.

Here is the lineup announced by Khalid Jamil for today's big clash. Sandesh Jhingan captains the side today, Vikram Partap Singh and Irfan Yadwad start in attack. Lallianzuala Chhangte stays on the bench!

Here's how our #BlueTigers line up to face IR Iran in the second game of #CAFANationsCup2025
Watch LIVE at 17:30 IST on @FanCode #INDIRN #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/H0DKSza2Zt

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) September 1, 2025

A very warm welcome to one and all for the live coverage of the CAFA Nations Cup. India are in action once again, under new head coach Khalid Jamil, but it is a big, big test. India take on Iran - the second-highest-ranked side in the FIFA rankings! 

Stay tuned to NDTV Sports for all the live updates from the match.