Overview

• Defenders Anwar Ali (5') and Sandesh Jhingan (13') struck early from set-piece situations to establish a 2-0 lead in Hisor.
• Shahrom Samiev pulled one back in the 23rd minute before captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu secured the win with multiple saves, including a 73rd-minute penalty stop from Rustam Soirov.
• The victory snapped a drought dating to November 2023 and came against hosts ranked roughly 27 places higher in FIFA standings.
• Khalid Jamil’s first lineup featured a younger core without Sunil Chhetri by design and no Mohun Bagan players due to non-release outside the FIFA window.
• India next play Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4 in a tournament serving as preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.