Hisor (Tajikistan), the Indian football team, deflated by two consecutive losses in the Unity Cup last month, will aim for a better performance against Tajikistan in a FIFA international friendly match here on Friday.

India had secured a victory against the same opponent in the CAFA Nations Cup last year. However, India suffered defeats against Jamaica (0-2) and Zimbabwe (0-1) on May 27 and 30 respectively during the Unity Cup in London. The second match will also be played here on Sunday. India’s 2-1 win against Tajikistan at the Hisor Central Stadium on August 29 last year during the CAFA Nations Cup was the first match for the Indian team under head coach Khalid Jamil.

India finished third in that tournament, defeating Oman in a penalty shootout. But in the next six matches, India managed only one win, suffering defeats against teams like Bangladesh and Singapore. Pressure is mounting on Jamil, under whose guidance India has won only three out of ten matches so far. India played the Unity Cup without seven players from Mohun Bagan Super Giant, as the club refused to release them at the last minute, arguing that the tournament was being held outside the FIFA window.

India’s ranking drops after Asian Cup failure

Both upcoming international friendly matches are within the FIFA window, but players from Mohun Bagan Super Giant will not participate. The Indian team arrived here directly from London. India will play this tournament without Ryan Williams, who recently gave up his Australian passport to join the Indian team but got injured during the Unity Cup. Parthib Gogoi has been included in the team in his place.

India’s FIFA ranking has been steadily declining since failing to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup, while Tajikistan, which qualified for the tournament, has seen its ranking improve. India’s world ranking is 137, while Tajikistan’s is 103. Tajikistan will play its first match under the guidance of new Macedonian coach Igor Angelovski. Out of the six matches played so far between India and Tajikistan, India has won two, Tajikistan has won three, and one match ended in a draw.

The Indian team is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Hritik Tiwari, Albino Gomes.

Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Nikhil Barla, Nikhil Pujari, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Bijoy Varghese, Paramveer.

Midfielders: Jackson Singh Thounaojam, Naufal PN, Ricky Shabong, Mcarton Lui Nixon.

Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Lalianzuala Chhangte, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary, Mohammad Sanan Kundo, Vikram Pratap Singh, Parthib Gogoi.

The match will start at 8:30 PM Indian time.

Hisor Central Stadium

Hisor Central Stadium is a multi-purpose sports venue located in Hisor, Tajikistan, primarily used for football matches. Built during the Soviet era and renovated in recent years, it serves as the home ground for the local football club. The stadium reflects the region’s sporting heritage and its continued importance in Tajikistan’s athletic community.

Unity Cup

The Unity Cup is a symbolic trophy associated with international football matches between Brazil and England, often contested to promote friendship and sportsmanship. Its history dates back to the early 2000s, when the cup was introduced as a way to celebrate the cultural and sporting ties between the two nations. Though not a major tournament trophy, it represents a tradition of goodwill and competitive spirit in their historic rivalry.

CAFA Nations Cup

The CAFA Nations Cup is a regional football tournament organized by the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA), first held in 2023. It brings together national teams from Central Asia, including Iran, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, to promote competition and unity in the region. The tournament represents a milestone for Central Asian football, as it provides a dedicated platform for these nations to compete regularly.

Asian Cup

The Asian Cup is the premier international football (soccer) tournament for men’s national teams in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). First held in 1956 in Hong Kong, it has been contested every four years since, with South Korea winning the inaugural edition. The tournament has grown significantly over the decades, highlighting the rise of football in the region and featuring memorable victories by teams such as Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.

FIFA

FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the global governing body for association football, founded in 1904 in Paris to oversee international competition. It organizes major tournaments, most notably the FIFA World Cup, which began in 1930 and has become the world’s most-watched sporting event. Over its history, FIFA has expanded to include 211 member associations and has faced both acclaim for promoting the sport and controversy over governance and corruption scandals.