New Delhi: Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan has been ruled out of the ongoing CAFA Nations Cup 2025 after sustaining an injury during India’s clash against Iran. The AIFF confirmed on X that he will return to India on Wednesday.
India went down 0-3 to Iran in their second group match at the Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Monday. After a goalless first half, goals from Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (60’), Ali Alipour (89’), and Mehdi Taremi (90+6’) sealed the win for the defending champions.
Ranked 113 places above India (133rd) in the FIFA rankings, Iran dominated from the outset, forcing early saves from India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The Blue Tigers, however, managed to frustrate their opponents for long periods, with disciplined defending and a few counterattacking moves of their own.
India’s best chance in the first half came when Irfan Yadwad set up Nikhil Prabhu, whose shot was blocked inside the box. Later, Vikram Partap Singh made promising runs on the right flank, but Iran’s defence stood firm.
The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when Hosseinzadeh capitalised on a rebound after his initial header was blocked by Rahul Bheke. Coach Khalid Jamil introduced fresh legs in Manvir Singh (Jr.), Mahesh Naorem, and Jithin MS, which briefly lifted India’s attack, though Bheke’s header went wide.
Iran’s substitutes Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Mehdi Taremi added further spark, leading to Alipour’s late strike and Taremi’s injury-time goal that sealed a convincing win.
India’s lineup: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK) (C), Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Nikhil Prabhu, Suresh Singh Wangjam (Jeakson Singh 54’), Vikram Partap Singh (Manvir Singh Jr. 68’), Irfan Yadwad (Mahesh Naorem 68’), Muhammed Uvais, Danish Farooq (Chinglensana Singh 54’, Jithin MS 68’), Ashique Kuruniyan (Lallianzuala Chhangte 83’).
