CAFA Nations Cup: India chase redemption vs Afghanistan with final spot on the line

India return to face familiar foes Afghanistan on September 4 in Tajikistan, hoping to erase memories of their shock Guwahati defeat eighteen months ago with a crucial CAFA Nations Cup win.

For the Blue Tigers, the equation is simple: beat Afghanistan, and a place in the final on September 8 is theirs. Anything less, and they will need help from elsewhere — specifically, Iran holding or defeating Tajikistan in the other Group B fixture later in the day.

Under new head coach Khalid Jamil, India have had a mixed campaign so far. Their tournament began on a positive note with a 2-1 victory over co-hosts Tajikistan, a win that ended a long wait for competitive success dating back to November 2023. But that momentum was halted in a 3-0 defeat to Iran, leaving India level on points with Tajikistan but ahead on head-to-head record.

Heading into Wednesday’s clash, India know a win will seal their place in the final. A draw could still be enough if Tajikistan fail to beat Iran, but a defeat would almost certainly see them crash out on goal difference.

Jamil, though, is not interested in complicated scenarios. “We are going for a win. There is no point thinking about what happens elsewhere,” the India coach said ahead of the game.

LESSONS FROM IRAN LOSS

The heavy defeat to Iran exposed India’s vulnerabilities, especially after a promising first-half display. Jamil admitted that a tactical substitution in the second half changed the game’s momentum, allowing Iran to take control.

“This is as much a learning curve for me as it is for the players,” Jamil said. “But I must commend the players — they gave everything against a team of far higher quality.”

Despite that setback, India will take confidence from their overall head-to-head record against Afghanistan. In 22 previous meetings, India have won 13, drawn 7, and lost only twice. However, one of those defeats came last year in Guwahati during the World Cup qualifiers, a result still fresh in many minds.

INDIA WITHOUT THEIR ROCK

India will be without veteran defender Sandesh Jhingan, who picked up an injury against Iran. His absence leaves a big gap in both leadership and defence, but it also opens the door for others to step up.

“Sandesh is one of the bravest players I’ve seen. Even with the injury, he kept playing in the last match,” Jamil said. “It’s hard to replace someone like him, but this is a chance for others to prove themselves.”

Afghanistan, ranked 161st in the FIFA rankings compared to India’s 133rd, have shown they can rise to the occasion. With both teams fighting for survival, the clash promises intensity, with India balancing the pressure of expectations and the hunger for redemption.

A place in the CAFA Nations Cup final is the ultimate prize, but for India, this match is also about proving they can respond after setbacks. A win would not only secure progression but also erase memories of last year’s disappointment against Afghanistan, which somewhat started the nosedive for the entirety of Indian football.