India began life under newly-appointed head coach Khalid Jamil with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over hosts Tajikistan in their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 Group B opener at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Friday (Aug 29).
All three goals came in the first half. Anwar Ali (5’) put India ahead with a looping header, before Sandesh Jhingan (13’) doubled the lead from close range. Shahrom Samiev (23’) pulled one back for Tajikistan, but the Blue Tigers held firm for the rest of the match.
Debutant Muhammed Uvais Moyikkal’s long throw set up the opener, with Anwar heading home after a scramble in the box. The second goal arrived soon after when Anwar’s cross led to a rebound that Jhingan smashed in. Tajikistan replied through Samiev, who slipped through the Indian defence and beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
India came close again in the 26th minute through Anwar’s audacious volley, but Tajik goalkeeper Muhriddin Hasanov tipped it away. The hosts pressed hard after the break, but Sandhu, captaining India, produced several crucial saves, including a dramatic stop from Rustam Soirov’s penalty in the 71st minute.
Despite relentless pressure, India’s defence stood strong, with Sandhu making two more late saves to secure the win.
The result marked India’s first competitive victory since November 2023 and the first time in 10 years that a new national coach had won his debut match in charge, the last being Stephen Constantine in 2015.
