Overview

• FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur said the defender had surgery on Thursday after sustaining a cheekbone fracture against Iran.
• Jhingan continued playing for most of the 0-3 defeat to Iran, drawing praise from new India head coach Khalid Jamil for his courage.
• AIFF and FC Goa said he is under specialist care in Goa with a structured rehabilitation plan that includes weekly assessments.
• Medical staff are considering protective facial gear for his eventual return, with contact training to resume only after clearance.
• India has reached the CAFA Nations Cup third-place match on September 8 via head-to-head tiebreakers, with the opponent to be determined from Group A.