India vs Afghanistan Highlights, CAFA Nations Cup: FT IND 0-0 AFG; Khalid Jamil registers first draw as India coach

The Afghans led the Indians 60-40 on possession and had a lot more attempts (7-3) at breaking the deadlock compared to their opponents along with corners (4-1). And they came closest to seizing the lead shortly after the hour mark after Sherzad fired from inside the penalty area, only to be thwarted by Gurpreet – who has been the standout Indian player so far in the tournament.

90+6′: After a win and a loss, Khalid Jamil now registers his first draw as India men’s coach as the Blue Tigers finish with 4 points out of a possible 9 at the end of their Group B fixtures in the CAFA Nations Cup.

Will India advance to the next round? Unless Tajikistan pull off an upset victory over Iran later tonight, Jamil’s side should be through on the basis of head-to-head record earlier in the tournament.

90′: Sayed Fatemi, who had replaced Yama Sherzad a couple of minutes earlier, takes the corner kick with his left foot, and a shot from the left edge of the box is collected neatly by Gurpreet, who attempts to initiate a quick Indian counter with a throw.

Meanwhile, four minutes have been added to the clock in stoppage time.

57′: Proactiveness shown by the Afghan keeper as he moves forward to clear an excellent through ball from Manvir that was directed towards a rushing Jithin.

A minute later, it’s Jithin who prevents Panahi from barging into the Indian box during an Afghan counter.

As things stand, a draw could take India into the third-fourth-place playoff given heavyweights Iran will be the overwhelming favourites to defeat co-hosts Tajikistan later today and seal their place in the final.

India, however, will be in trouble if Tajikistan is able to hold Iran to a draw, in which case India and Tajikistan will finish level on 4 points – and the latter will advance due to a superior goal difference.

45+6′: End of the closely-fought first half in the Group B tie between India and Afghanistan, in which both teams have had multiple chances to break the deadlock but have not been able to breach the opposition’s defence.

Can some words of inspiration from Khalid Jamil lead to a turnaround for the Indian attack in the second half? Stay tuned to find out.

45′: The referee, however, makes another booking right after, with Irfan Yadwad getting a yellow card for a rash challenge while fighting for a header.

Five minutes have been added to the clock after 45 minutes are up in regulation time.

21′: India have made multiple forays into the Afghan penalty box in the 20 minutes that have taken place so far, but haven’t been able to get the ball past Faisal Hamidi into the net so far.

This after the Afghans were awarded a free kick at a promising position following Valpuia’s shove on Musawi. The Indians, however, are able to keep the ball out in each of Taufee Skandari’s attempted shots.

We’re getting the first visuals of the Hisor Central Stadium on the live telecast ahead of the Group B fixture between India and Afghanistan, and unlike the gloomy setting in the Blue Tigers’ fixture against Iran, the venue appears bathed in the evening sun at the moment.

The stands, however, appear empty once again, with not many away fans turning up in Tajikistan for the ongoing tournament.

India currently are second on the table with Afghanistan at the fourth spot, and a victory for the Blue Tigers should put them in the driver’s seat for the third-fourth place playoff:

As we wait, watch this beautiful goal by India’s Suhail against U23 Qatar team.

Here’s a quick look at the starting XI for India and Afghanistan.