CAFA Nations Cup, Know your opponents: Tajikistan

The Indian football team will face hosts Tajikistan in the CAFA Nations Cup on August 29, 2025.

The Blue Tigers will be participating in the eight-nation tournament for the first time. With newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil at the helm, they will aim for nothing but a fresh start to kick off a new journey.

This CAFA Nations Cup 2025 will serve as a crucial test for Jamil and his team to identify the optimal starting lineup and enhance their goal-scoring performance as they prepare to face a stern challenge in the upcoming months.

Ahead of this tie, we take a closer look at the Tajikistan football team.

History

Tajikistan played its first official game on April 11, 1994, in Tashkent, but suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat against Kazakhstan.

They were also featured in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification round, but couldn’t break the nut.

Among the famous victories, Tajikistan defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2–1 in the 2022 King's Cup in Thailand, advancing them to the final, where they defeated Malaysia in a penalty shootout to win their second international trophy.

Under Croatian head coach Petar Šegrt, Tajikistan took part in the third round of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification, defeating Myanmar (4–0) and Singapore (1–0) before holding neighbour Kyrgyzstan to a goalless draw to top the group. The Persian Lions qualified for their first-ever AFC Asian Cup and a major tournament in 2023.

In the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Tajikistan reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history but ended up losing 1–0 to the eventual runner-up, Jordan.

Form Guide: D L W W D

The Persian Lions' recent form has been topsy-turvy, winning five of their last ten outings.

Ranked 106th in the FIFA rankings, Tajikistan suffered a 0-3 defeat to Jordan before playing out a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the World Cup qualifiers second-round fixtures.

Tajikistan secured a narrow 1-0 win against the Timor-Leste national football team thanks to Vahdat Hanonov’s early goal. They shared points with the Philippines in the latest outing in the AFC Asian Cup qualification third round fixture.

Head-to-head record

Matches Played: 5

India won: 1

Tajikistan won: 3

Draw: 1

Key Players

Shahrom Samiev

Shahrom Samiev, who is currently playing for Uzbekistan Super League club Xorazm Urganch, is a key player in the Tajikistan squad. The 24-year-old forward made 41 appearances with the national team and has recorded nine goals to his name.

He made nine appearances in World Cup qualification fixtures and also featured in five AFC Asian Cup matches.

Parvizdzhon Umarbaev

Parvizdzhon Umarbaev is another regular player in the Tajikistan national team. He featured in 61 international games and also scored 11 goals.

The 30-year-old has 19 World Cup Qualification and 12 Asian Cup Qualification appearances to his name. Known for his smart close control and ball distribution, the midfielder could be the X-factor against the Blue Tigers.