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The Indian football team were held to a draw by Afghanistan in their final group stage fixture of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Central Stadium in Hisor on Thursday.

The Blue Tigers finished second in the table with four points from three games. Khalid Jamil's men qualified for the third-place playoff match, following Iran's 2-2 draw against Tajikistan later on Thursday.

India had a few opportunities in the first half, with Irfan Yadwad, Naorem Mahesh Singh, and Ashique Kuruniyan in the thick of things right from the very first minute of the game. Mahesh and Anwar Ali combined after a failed clearance by Afghanistan in the 10th minute, but the East Bengal FC defender failed to keep it on target.

Afghanistan came close to scoring in the 24th minute, but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stood tall and pushed the ball out for a corner.

India got another chance in the 33rd minute thanks to Kuruniyan, who won the ball in front of the box, but he couldn’t find the final touch.

Jithin MS had India’s best opportunity in stoppage time, but his powerful attempt from the edge of the box just missed the target. Despite both sides coming close to scoring, the first half ended on level terms.

Jamil’s men got a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 57th minute thanks to Mahesh’s defence-splitting through ball. Jithin MS was played through with a decisive pass, but the opponent’s keeper came off his line to clear the danger.

Afghanistan also had a few chances in the latter half of the second half. Their best opportunity of the game came when Hossein Zamani took a shot but Sandhu with his quick reflexes, tipped the ball onto the bar.

The Blue Tigers saw out Afghanistan’s late opportunities and advanced to the third-place playoff of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 due to a better head-to-head record against Tajikistan. The third-place playoff game will take place on 8th September.

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2024-2025