Preview: India face stern test against IR Iran in CAFA Nations Cup

The Indian men’s national team will face IR Iran in their second match of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Monday.

India made a strong start to the tournament, defeating hosts Tajikistan 2-1 in their opening fixture. The result marked a winning debut for head coach Khalid Jamil, whose side showed resilience and discipline throughout the game.

The next challenge, however, will be far tougher. IR Iran, ranked the second-best team in Asia, are the standout opponent in India’s group. Jamil’s men relied on set-pieces and quick counters against Tajikistan, and a similar but more cautious approach is expected this time, given Iran’s attacking firepower.

Iran also began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Afghanistan. Despite conceding first, they responded swiftly and eventually cruised to three points. Team Melli will now look to build momentum and move closer to securing a place in the final.

For India, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will again be crucial. On his return to the national side, he produced a commanding performance against Tajikistan, including a penalty save. The Blue Tigers will depend on his presence and a compact defensive unit while hoping to hurt Iran on the counterattack.

It will be only Jamil’s second match in charge, but another disciplined display could give India a chance of producing a surprise and keeping their campaign on track.