Head coach of the Indian national football team Khalid Jamil (PTI Photo) India secured the place in the Cafa Nations Cup match third on the basis of the head record to the head after Tajikistan and Iran pulled 2-2 on Thursday.At the beginning of that day, India played a hopeless draw with Afghanistan. Their previous victory 2-1 over Tajikistan in the opening of the tournament proved to be essential for the development of the Khalid Jamil team.India and Tajikistan ended with four points, but India claimed second place in Group B because of their head advantage to the head.Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe!India will compete at the match of the third fourth place on 8 September. Their rivals will be designed on Friday after completing the matches of the group and in Tashkent.Iranian Mohammad Mohebi scored twice in 38 and 47 minutes. Tajikistan fought with the targets from the Shakome Samav after 58 minutes and Zoir Dzhurabaev after 78 minutes, but could not secure a place in the match in third place.India tried to earn on her opportunities in their earlier match against Afghanistan.Afghanistan began aggressively, although India at the beginning of the game caused better chances of counterattacks.After fifteen minutes, Ashique Kuruniyan broke out on the left and handed over Irfan Yadwad, who missed his shot.Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has made an important savings since Ali Reze Panahi’s long efforts in the 24th minute. Shortly thereafter, Yadwad’s shot has grown from a distant post.Ashique stole the ball from the defender Afghanistan Mahboob Hanifi in the 34th minute, but was stopped by goalkeeper Faisal Ahmad Hamidi. This collision resulted in the Ashique reserve.Jithin MS, who was doing his first start to India, created two opportunities before the half. His passage to Ashique was blocked and his shot went across the attachment.India showed more control in the second half after coach Khalid Jamil brought Manvir Singh (JR) and Vikram Partap Singh.Around an hour’s brand Nikhil Prabhu through the ball to Jithin just missed his goal. Jithin had another chance from the rank at the 66th minute, but his shot went high.The best opportunity to Afghanistan came in the 71 minute when Hossein Zamani found Yam Sherzad, whose shot was Sandha diverted to the rank.Despite the late pressure in Afghanistan, India’s defense remained solid to ensure a draw.This result meant an improvement for India, which previously lost in Afghanistan in their match for the World Cup qualification in March 2024.
