In a captivating match at the Hisor Central Stadium, India achieved a commendable third-place finish in their debut at the CAFA Nations Cup. They triumphed over Oman, a team ranked higher, with a 3-2 victory in a penalty shootout. The intense game concluded with a 1-1 scoreline after extra time. The Blue Tigers displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming a deficit, the pressures of extra time, and the uncertainty of penalties to secure the bronze medal, marking a significant achievement in their first Central Asian tournament appearance. Oman, initially the favorites, adopted a cautious approach, allowing India to dominate early. India’s attacking strategies, led by Vikram Partap Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte, tested Oman’s defense. The first significant opportunity arose in the 16th minute, but a header from Anwar Ali was saved by Ibrahim Al Mukhaini. As the first half progressed, Oman began to assert themselves, with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu making a crucial save in the 25th minute. Before halftime, India had a promising chance to take the lead, but Irfan Yadwad’s attempt went wide. The second half saw Oman scoring early, with Jameel Al Yahmadi finding the net in the 55th minute. However, India responded with substitutions in the 78th minute, leading to Udanta Singh’s goal, which was confirmed after a VAR check. Oman’s chances were further diminished by a red card in the 96th minute. Despite the advantage, India couldn’t secure a win in extra time, leading to the penalty shootout. In the shootout, India took a 2-0 lead, with goals from Lallianzuala Chhangte and Rahul Bheke. While Oman attempted a comeback, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s crucial save sealed the historic win for India. This third-place finish reflects the team’s strong spirit and depth under coach Khalid Jamil.
