Fresh from a confidence-boosting 2-1 win over hosts Tajikistan, the Indian men’s national football team is preparing for a high-stakes clash against Asian heavyweights Iran in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 at the Hisor Central Stadium on Monday.
India’s triumph over Tajikistan marked its first victory against the Central Asian side in 17 years and served as a memorable debut win under newly appointed head coach Khalid Jamil. The coach credited the result to a collective team effort, both on and off the pitch.
“The win was all down to the unity that the players showed on the pitch. They all worked in unison. Not only the players, but the entire staff – the technical, non-technical, and medical staff all worked together, and the unity within the team is visible,” Jamil told aiff.com.
Currently ranked 133rd in the FIFA rankings, India faces a towering challenge against Iran, who sit at 20th. The upcoming encounter is being widely described as a classic “David versus Goliath” contest. Despite the odds, Jamil remains focused on ensuring his squad is physically and mentally ready.
“The win in the last game was a huge motivation for us, but the main thing right now is for us to be ready for the Iran game,” Jamil added. “We’ve had two days to recover, and now we need to ensure that everyone is fresh when we face Iran.”
India’s defence will again rely on the leadership of Sandesh Jhingan, who scored the decisive second goal against Tajikistan and was named Player of the Match. For Jhingan, the win is just the beginning of a larger mission.
“Yes, we are happy that we got a win and that we have three points, but we must build on this win as a nation and as a team,” Jhingan stated. “Our main aim is to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the third consecutive time. These games are important for us to prepare for the upcoming qualifiers (against Singapore).”
India and Iran have faced each other six times in history, with Iran holding four wins to India’s two — the last Indian victory dating back to 1959. The teams last met in 2016 during the World Cup qualifiers, with Iran winning 4-0 in Tehran.
Veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, one of only three current players who featured in that match, emphasized the importance of clinical execution.
“We have to make the most of our chances when they come by, and minimise our mistakes,” said Gurpreet. “We must show bravery and desire. Nothing is impossible in football – the Grimsby vs Manchester United match was an example of that.”
India’s resolve will now be tested against one of Asia’s finest teams, and the Blue Tigers are eager to prove that they belong on the big stage.
