Fresh from a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over hosts Tajikistan, the Indian men’s national football team gears up for its sternest challenge yet — a Group B encounter against Asian heavyweights Iran, in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, at the Hisor Central Stadium on Monday.
Head coach Khalid Jamil, who oversaw a spirited display in India’s opener, attributed the win to the unity within his squad. “The victory was all down to the unity the players showed on the pitch. Everyone worked in unison – not only the players but also the technical, medical and support staff. That spirit has been visible in this group,” Jamil told aiff.com on the eve of the clash.
India, ranked 133rd in the FIFA charts, face an opponent 113 places above them. Iran, currently 20th in the world, carries the weight of history and pedigree, having qualified regularly for the FIFA World Cup and never slipping below 50th in the rankings over the last decade. By every measure, the contest has all the ingredients of a classic ‘David vs Goliath’ encounter.
Building on Tajikistan Win
Defender Sandesh Jhingan, who scored in the opener and was named Player of the Match, underlined the importance of carrying momentum forward. “Yes, we are happy with the three points, but our main aim is bigger — to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the third consecutive time. These matches prepare us for the qualifiers ahead,” said the veteran centre-back.
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who captained the side against Tajikistan, echoed similar sentiments. Having faced Iran before, along with Jhingan and Udanta Singh during the 2016 World Cup qualifiers, he knows the challenge that awaits. “What we have learned is that against teams like Iran, you must take your chances and minimise mistakes. They will punish every lapse. But belief, unity and discipline can carry us through,” Gurpreet said.
The Iranian Threat
Led by Amir Ghalenoei, who has more than two decades of coaching experience in Iranian football, Team Melli arrives as overwhelming favourites. They topped their qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup, with commanding wins over Qatar, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan and North Korea.
Iran’s strength lies in their attacking arsenal. Saman Ghoddos, formerly of Brentford and now with UAE’s Kalba FC, brings versatility and European pedigree. Captain, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, once a Premier League forward with Brighton and currently at Heerenveen, remains a lethal threat from the flanks. Up front, striker Mehdi Taremi, a Champions League finalist with Inter Milan and scorer of 55 international goals, is regarded as the team’s talisman.
However, reports suggest that Taremi will miss the clash as he travels to Greece to complete a move to Olympiacos — a notable boost for India’s chances of keeping the scoreline respectable.
Rare Opportunity
Historically, Iran has dominated this fixture, winning four of the six previous meetings. India’s last victory dates back to 1959 in Ernakulam, when Chuni Goswami, Yusuf Khan and Tulsidas Balaram inspired a famous 3-1 triumph. In modern times, the gulf has widened, with Iran running out 4-0 winners in their most recent clash during the 2016 World Cup qualifiers.
For Jamil’s men, the task is daunting. Yet, opportunities to test themselves against Asia’s best remain rare, and India’s players are determined to make the most of the stage. As Gurpreet put it: “Nothing is impossible in football. What matters is bravery, discipline and desire.”
Whether the Blue Tigers can bridge the vast divide remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — they will walk into Hisor with belief, unity and the knowledge that such nights can shape a team’s future.
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