Cafa Nations Cup – India is confronted with powerhouse Iran in David vs Goliath Battle after beating Tajikistan

The senior national team of the Indian men, after beating host Tajikistan last week, now ends before the collision against the Asian powerhouse Iran at the Central Stadium in Hanisr in Hisor, Tadjikistan, on Monday.

India -head coach Khalid Jamil has credited the victory against the unit among the entire team.

«The victory was all due to the unit that the players showed on the field. They all worked at the same time. Not only the players, but the technical, non-technical and medical staff all worked together, and the unit within the team is visible,» Jamil told Aiff.com on the eve of the game.

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India (133rd in the FIFA ranking) is then confronted with Iran (20th arranged), a competition that can be called very well as a ‘David versus Goliath’ affair.

However, Jamil is focused on drawing up the blue tigers and ready for the match against the Asian giant.

«The victory in the last game was a huge motivation for us, but the most important thing is that we are now ready for the Iran game. We have had two days to recover, and now we have to make sure that everyone is fresh when we face Iran,» Jamil said.

Defender Sandesh Jhingan, who scored the second goal in the 2-1 victory against Tajikistan and was appointed player of the match for his performance, emphasized the importance of using the Tadjikistan winning to build Momentum for the real objectives.

«Yes, we are happy that we have achieved a victory and that we have three points, but we have to build on this victory as a nation and as a team. We must continue to improve because our main goal is to be eligible for the AFC Asian Cup for the third consecutive time,» Jhingan said.

«These games are important for us to prepare us for the upcoming qualifications (against Singapore).»

Iran and India met six times, with the last twice won and Team Melli had four victories. The last victory of India against Iran, however, came to Ernakulam in 1959, when goals from Chuni Goswami, Yusuf Khan and Tulsidas Balaram helped to win the hosts 3-1.

Read also: India beats Tadjikistan 2-1 in Cafa Nations Cup 2025 in the first game under Khalid Jamil

India was last confronted with Iran in 2016 in the World Cup qualifications, where the last one won 4-0 in Tehran. Of the current team, only Jhingan, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and winger Udanta Singh were present in that team.

«I think only the three of us (Jhingan, Sandhu and Udanta) played against them in this team, so we know what kind of challenge they will be,» said Gubrees.

“What we have learned to play against top opposition such as Iran is that we have to get the most out of our opportunities when they come by and minimize our mistakes as much as possible, because such teams will punish any expiration.

«We have to show courage and desire. Nothing is impossible in football – the Grimsby vs Manchester United (match) was an example of that,» he added.

Published August 31, 2025