Preview: India seek second win in CAFA Nations Cup as they face Afghanistan

The match preview is also available in Bangla and Malayalam

The Indian football team will play their final group stage fixture of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 against Afghanistan at the Central Stadium in Hisor on Thursday with qualification hopes still on the line.

The Blue Tigers sit second in Group B after a 2-1 victory over hosts Tajikistan and a 3-0 defeat to Iran. Another positive result for Khalid Jamil’s side could be enough to secure second place and a spot in the third-place playoff scheduled for September 8.

However, opponents Afghanistan also have everything to play for. Consecutive defeats to Iran and to Tajikistan mean they must win to have any chance of finishing second.

Group B remains wide open. Iran lead the standings with six points but if Tajikistan beat them while India overcome Afghanistan, three teams would be tied on points. In that case, group rankings will be decided by points to determine who reaches the final and who contests the third-place playoff.

If two or more teams are tied, the head-to-head record between those teams is used, starting with points, then goal difference and then goals scored in those specific matches.

If teams still cannot be separated, overall group performance comes into play, looking at goal difference and goals scored across all matches. If needed, fair play (fewer yellow and red cards) will be considered, and as a last resort the rankings will be decided by drawing lots.

As things stand, India must beat Afghanistan and hope Tajikistan don’t defeat Iran to make the playoffs. A draw could still work if Iran avoid losing to Tajikistan. But if India lose they’re out, since Tajikistan would edge them on goal difference in a three-way tie.

For Afghanistan, the challenge is tough. They come into this match on the back of eight consecutive defeats and are nine games without a win. Their last win ironically came against India in March 2024 when a 2-1 result in Guwahati ended the Blue Tigers’ World Cup qualification campaign.

Since then, former NorthEast United FC head coach Vincenzo Annese has taken charge of the side but his tenure has started with three straight losses. He will be hoping Afghanistan can once again upset India and keep their tournament alive while India aim to secure safe passage past the group stage.