Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (59’), Ali Alipour (89’), and Mehdi Taremi (90’ + 6) scored as Iran defeated India 3-0 in the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 clash. But the final result did not reflect how close the game really was. Khalid Jamil’s men showed great discipline and spirit, making it difficult for Iran to create chances until the final stages.
For over an hour, India stood firm with a clear plan, frustrating Iran at every step. The match may have ended with three goals against them, but the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 game highlighted how far this Indian side has come under Jamil’s coaching.
A First Half of Pure Khalid-Ball
The opening half of the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 match was a perfect example of “Khalid-ball.” India stuck to a disciplined 4-5-1 setup that limited Iran’s attacking flow. Sandesh Jhingan and Anwar Ali were outstanding in central defence, dealing with crosses and aerial threats. On the wings, Rahul Bheke and Mohammed Uvais worked tirelessly to block Iranian runs.
In midfield, Suresh Singh, Danish Farooq, and Nikhil Prabhu pressed hard and gave Iran little space to operate. Ashique Kuruniyan and Vikram Pratap Singh dropped back often, creating a compact five-man midfield. Iran had possession, about 74% in the first half, but India’s defensive shape restricted them to long crosses and corners.
Iran won eight corners, but that was not a concern for Jamil’s side. The real problem was India’s poor use of the ball in attack. With only 26% possession in the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 contest, India often played long clearances that quickly came back at them, adding more pressure. Still, at halftime, India had done exactly what they planned, make Iran work hard for every chance.
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Iran Break Through in the Second Half
The second half of the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 clash saw Jamil change tactics. In the 55th minute, he added Sana Singh and Jeakson Singh, switching to a 5-4-1 formation. However, this gave Iran’s captain Kanani Zadegan space in midfield. Just minutes later, he delivered a brilliant early cross to the far post. Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh battled Rahul Bheke for the ball, and after a lucky deflection, poked it home in the 59th minute.
That first goal finally broke India’s resistance. Jamil reacted immediately, removing Sana Singh just 12 minutes after bringing him on. He added more attacking players, Mahesh Singh, Jithin MS, and Manvir Singh, followed later by Lallianzuala Chhangte. This gave India new energy, and for the first time in the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 fixture, the action shifted into Iran’s half.
India’s attacking intent was promising, but it came with risks. By committing players forward, they left space at the back, and Iran’s substitutes Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Mehdi Taremi were quick to exploit it.
Late Goals Seal It for Iran
In the 89th minute of the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 game, Taremi bulldozed past two defenders and forced a save from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. His shot hit the post, and Ali Alipour was in the right place to tap in the rebound, doubling Iran’s lead.
Deep into injury time, Iran added a third. Jahanbakhsh floated a clever ball behind the defence, and Taremi calmly lifted it over the advancing Gurpreet to make it 3-0. It was a classy finish, but it did not reflect the struggles Iran faced earlier.
The India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 scoreline looked harsh on Jamil’s side. For most of the contest, India’s defenders worked tirelessly and kept Iran under pressure to find answers. The late goals may have padded the score, but they could not hide how difficult the game was for Iran.
Khalid Jamil will take positives from this performance. His players showed determination, teamwork, and the ability to frustrate a much stronger opponent. As India prepare for their next challenge against Afghanistan, the lessons from the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025 match will be valuable.
India may not have won, but their display earned respect. Fans will remember how bravely the team fought in the India vs Iran CAFA Cup 2025, even against one of Asia’s football giants.
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