Khalid Jamil’s Debut Win: India Triumphs Over Tajikistan with ‘Khalidball’
India beat Tajikistan 2-1 in the first game of the CAFA Nations Cup on August 29, 2025, in Hisor. This was the start of the Khalid Jamil era. The Blue Tigers won thanks to strong set pieces and a comeback from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. This is the first game they’ve played as a team with a new coach. This win gives hope to a team that has been having trouble finding its character lately.
Early in the game, Muhammed Uvais’s long throws caused chaos that changed the outcome. Anwar Ali scored the first goal with a header in the fifth minute, and eight minutes later, Sandesh Jhingan scored with a tap-in after Rahul Bheke had helped set up the play. Both goals came from set pieces. Tajikistan scored a late goal to fight back, but India’s deep defense held strong. The game was won by Sandhu’s penalty save and dominating presence, which he improved during off-season training in Norway and Bengaluru.
Unique Insights: Jamil’s “Khalidball,” which is a mix of solid defense and counterattacks, is different from the fluid styles of India’s previous teachers. It could help stabilize India’s inconsistent form. The story of Sandhu’s redemption gives the team a psychic boost.
Local Context: Football is becoming more and more popular in India (20 million players are expected by 2025 according to the AIFF). This win is important to fans in Kolkata and Kerala who want to get ahead in the competition before the Asian Cup playoffs. Central Asian rivalries between Tajikistan add to the tension in the area.
According to the FIFA results from August 2025, India (105) beat Tajikistan (106). Set-piece goals have scored 30% of India’s international goals this decade (AIFF statistics).
While tougher tests like Iran loom, this debut win buys Jamil time to mold his team. For football enthusiasts, it’s a promising start. Stay tuned to webtechneeq.com/news/ for more updates!
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