Hisor (Tajikistan), Sept 5 (HS): India secured a berth in the third-place playoff of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 after playing out a goalless draw against Afghanistan in their final Group B encounter at the Hisor Central Stadium on Thursday.
India’s progression depended on the outcome of the day’s other Group B fixture, where Iran and Tajikistan drew 2-2. The result confirmed India’s place in the playoff.
Under coach Khalid Jamil, India finished second in the group with four points (one win, one draw, one loss). Iran topped the group with seven points, while Tajikistan also ended with four points but were edged out on head-to-head record, having lost 2-1 to India in their opening match. Afghanistan bowed out with just one point.
India will now contest the third-place playoff on September 8 at the Hisor Central Stadium, against the second-placed side from Group A.
In Group A, Oman and Uzbekistan are currently level on four points each, with identical goal difference (+1) and three goals scored from two games. Turkmenistan and Kyrgyz Republic occupy third and fourth spots with a point apiece. The final group fixtures later on September 5 in Tashkent will see Oman face Turkmenistan, while Uzbekistan take on Kyrgyz Republic.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
