Final whistle and India have clinched the game 2-1 against Tajikistan! A hard-fought battle between the two teams but India kept their calm and ultimately emerged victorious!

8 minutes of extra time to go and India will have to defend some more. It has been the same story in the second half with India defending with their lives. However, the match is almost over and it looks like India are very close to a gritty win.

India almost had their third! A brilliant counter-attack from India caught Tajikistan completely off-guard. Naorem Mahesh Singh thought about the pass but went for the shot himself. It was on target but a stunning save from the Tajikistan goalkeeper ended up denying him.

Couple of substitutions for India and this will be the final throw of the dice from Khalid Jamil. The attacking has been quite disappointing in the second half and it has been mostly defense for India. However, the last few minutes will be all about maintaining that shape and keeping the ball out of the goal.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, you beauty! The penalty was right down the middle but Gurpreet used his long legs to keep it out of the goal. Crucial save and massive moment as India have received big lifeline.

Huge moment in the game as Tajikistan are awarded a penalty!

It has been all Tajikistan till now. All the attacks have come from the hosts and the latest one required a diving header from Sandesh Jhingan to guide it to safety. A huge moment in the match as Tajikistan looked like they almost had the equaliser.

A curling effort from Tajikistan and it is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu once again who denies them the equaliser. This is not going to be easy for India as Tajikistan are looking in brilliant form at the moment and Khalid Jamil responds by making 3 substitutions.

The second half is underway and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with a sensational save to begin proceedings. He got down in time to deny Tajikistan their equaliser and this is a good start for the hosts. They look really dangerous since scoring the first goal and this is not good news for India.

It is half-time in Hisor and India lead 2-1 against Tajikistan.

A late charge from India but nothing comes from it. India have lacked a bit creatively in the past 10 minutes and although it was a good cross, the final player was not able to reach it in time.

India continue to remain under pressure from this rejuvenated Tajikistan side. A well-placed corner but Gurpreet was out in time and he punched it away to make sure that India were not under any pressure.

The goal has put Tajikistan in a good place. Although they are trailing in this game, they have shown a lot of fight in the last 5 minutes. India have been a little complacent after the first two goals and this will have to be addressed by the new head coach.

India have conceded and it was completely against the run of play. Samiev with the goal for Tajikistan and it was not something that Khalid Jamil would have predicted. A mistake in the defence as Jhingan lost his man and Samiev just guided the ball past Gurpreet into the goal.

The feature of the Khalid Jamil era has been the defensive resilience and how he has used his centre backs. Both Jhingan and Anwar have performed their defensive responsibilities brilliantly but what has surprised Tajikistan is how much they are using their physicality to dominate the game on the opposition's half.

India have doubled their lead! It is another defender who gets the goal and this time, it is Sandesh Jhingan. Bheke produced the perfect header at the end of a cross from Anwar but it was saved by the keeper. However, Jhingan was in the perfect position to guide it into the goal.

Swift response by Tajikistan as they are looking to bomb the opposition penalty box with crosses. However, with Anwar Ali and Jhingan as CBs, India have the strength to keep the chances at bay and they have not been bothered by them yet.

India have taken the lead and it is the first goal of the Khalid Jamil era! A long throw into the Tajikistan box and there was a lot of activity followed by a scrappy goal. Anwar Ali claims it and India have the dream start.

The match is underway. India will be looking to start proceedings on a positive note. It is a young side with a mix of experience under the leadership of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and an early goal can do wonders for the fortunes of the Indian football team as well as head coach Khalid Jamil.

The two teams are out in the middle and it is time for the national anthems. We are minutes away from the start of this match and it promises to be an entertaining one.

This will be a major test for head coach Khalid Jamil. India did not win a single game in the calendar year but under Jamil, India have chosen a new-look side. However, will that change their fortunes?

Muhriddin Hasanov, Akhtam Nazarov, Zoir Dzhuraboev, Manuchehr Safarov, Alisher Jalilov, Alisher Shukurov, Sheriddin Boboev, Shervoni Mabatshoev, Ehsoni Panshanbe, Shahrom Samiev

Khalid Jamil names his first XI as #BlueTigers head coach
Watch 🇹🇯🇮🇳 in the #CAFANationsCup2025 LIVE at 21:00 ISTon @FanCode#TJKIND #IndianFootballpic.twitter.com/xujBezZ2fd

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

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 encounter between India and Tajikistan. A huge game as India will be playing for the first time under new head coach Khalid Jamil. Also, a new look squad under the captaincy of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who will be looking to prove themselves in the absence of Sunil Chhetri.