Overview

• Defenders Anwar Ali (5') and Sandesh Jhingan (13') struck early, both from set-piece situations, to put India in control in Hisor.
• Captain and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu preserved the lead with multiple saves, including a 72nd‑minute penalty stop.
• Tajikistan, ranked higher and playing at home, pulled one back in the 23rd minute but were held off by India’s organized defending.
• Khalid Jamil’s first match in charge comes after his August appointment, with the CAFA Nations Cup serving as a proving ground before Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore in October.
• India, ranked 133 by FIFA and winless in their previous 15 matches, beat the 106‑ranked hosts despite a limited squad that excluded Sunil Chhetri and all Mohun Bagan players.