Afghanistan 0-0 India Player Ratings: Gurpreet rated 7/10 as India and Afghanistan Settle for a Draw in the CAFA Nations Cup.

The Indian National Football Team went head-to-head against the neighbouring rivals Afghanistan National Football Team, for the final match of their Group B fixtures in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. The India vs Afghanistan clash took us to the Hisor Central Stadium, Tajikistan, and the match took place on the 4th of September 2025, and after an energetic clash, both sides shared the spoils.

India came onto the pitch with a completely different intent, constantly pressing and making aggressive moves to attack. However, as the game progressed, the match was relatively snail-paced, with both teams aiming to keep possession, and attempts to attack were a rarity. Relatively, it was the Afghan side that had the upper hand against the Blue Tigers as they were superior in the second balls and attacks. In the additional time of the first half, the Indian players displayed some intent, but it however was too late, and at the break, the score remained in a deadlock. The second half was nothing different, and once again, it was Afghanistan who was having the steering of the game, but somehow Indian team goalkeeper Gurpreet was able to keep the deadlock and at full-time the score was 0-0.

Here are the Afghanistan vs India Player Ratings

Afghanistan Player Ratings

Here are the Afghanistan Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Faisal Ahmad Hamidi - 6.5/10

Hamidi performed well under pressure situations and effectively cleared the danger. Was aware and quick to respond whenever the Blue Tigers tried to penetrate the defence with the through balls.

Defenders

Amid Arezou - 6/10

Was careful in the match as he collected a yellow card within the first ten minutes of the game. But he was courageous and continued to display his brilliance in the defence, with some cameo appearances in the attack.

Mahboob Hanifi - 6/10

Hanifi provided some accurate long balls to the final third from the defensive half to bewilder the Indian players. Marshalled the defence and created a solid backline which was hard to break.

Ali Reza Panahi - 6/10

Almost every time Irfan and Suresh attempted to attack, the defender had the better of them and thwarted their attacks.

Balal Arezou - 6.5/10

Did very well in shadowing Ashique and keeping him silent throughout the minutes played by the winger. Later, when Vikram came in as a substitute, he also had a good share in resisting the fresh leg.

Midfielders

Zelfy Nazary - 6/10

Was having a central role and anchored the midfield throughout the match. Won balls, came back to defend and provided some good balls to craft play for his side.

Maziar Kouhyar - 6/10

Was physically dominant in the midfield and won a decent number of both ground and aerial duels.

Yama Sherzad - 6/10

Sherzad had a fairly well-performed first half. In the second half, he came really close to scoring, but much to his concern, it had the fingertips of Gurpreet and hit the woodwork.

Naeem Rahimi - 4/10

Had just minimal contributions in the match and was called back to the bench in the 40th minute.

Omid Musawi - 6.5/10

Was very creative in the final third and made some clever passes to confuse the Indian backline. Provided some reverse balls inside the box and was a continuous menace to India.

Forwards

Taufee Skandari - 5.5/10

The striker was more or less seen in the midfield rather than a proper number nine role. Attempted to breach the Indian goal, but

Substitutes

Rahmat Akbari - 6/10

Habibullah Hotak - 6/10

Hossein Zamani - 6/10

Sayed Fatemi - NA

Manager

Vincento Alberto Annese - 6/10

His team displayed the spark and had the hunger to win, even though they were knocked out of the tournament. Could have done better in finishing, but would be pleased with the overall performance.

India Player Ratings

Here are the India Player Ratings

Goalkeeper

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - 7/10

Gurpreet communicated well and maintained the shape of the backline to make the backline strong. The keeper was ready to block whenever the opponents tried to breach the goal with his outstretched saves. Was able to maintain a clean sheet.

Defenders

Muhammed Uvais - 6/10

Uvais, once again, was the source of all the throw-ins that came from the left flank and created confusion in the Afghan box. He was much more confident than in his debut and did well throughout the match.

Anwar Ali - 6/10

Communicated well with Bheke and did competently well in mitigating the attacking initiatives of Afghanistan. Was good in the defence, winning duels and making interceptions. Nullified the set pieces and was good in distributions.

Rahul Bheke - 6/10

Was decent in the defence and displayed a good performance in counteracting the opponent's attacks. He was not at his best performance during the first half, but was cautious enough not to commit many blunders.

Valpuia - 7/10

Had a toe in a good amount of 1v1s against Musawi. Needed better communication with his centre-backs initially, but later, as the game progressed, Valpuia got the grip of the game and did reasonably well. Looked very solid and was one of the best players in the backline.

Midfielders

Ashique Kuruniyan - 4/10

Controlled the ball well and dribbled past the defenders multiple times. Got a yellow card in the first half in a 50-50 situation with the keeper. Was terrible in keeping possession and making moves and could have done better.

Suresh Singh Wangjam - 5/10

Suresh set the aggressive tone for the game by taking a shot at the goal just in the 13th. Later, the midfielder had an on-and-off game with a mixed bag of performance.

Mahesh Singh Naorem - 6/10

Stamped authority over the opposition with some teasing corner kicks and his on-the-ball movements. Displayed his creative flair in creating trouble for the opponents with some good dribbles.

Nikhil Prabhu - 6.5/10

Made some good tackles in the middle third and won back the ball from the opponents. Made some stepovers and rotated the ball very well. Made switchovers and gave his heart and soul for the team. Covered well, was there during setpieces, and had a good thought process.

Jithin MS - 6/10

Jithin tracked back during the opponent attacks and did well to recover the ball and build up. Provided some good deliveries inside the 6-yard area from the byline. Attempted a few shots at goal and slowly piled pressure upon the opponents.

Forwards

Irfan Yadwad - 3/10

Irfan was consistently inconsistent and was frustrated by the lack of output in the final third, and conceded some fouls, which even resulted in the striker being booked by the referee. Was immediately subbed off after the break.

Substitutes

Vikram Partap Singh - 6/10

Initiated press and played well throughout the second half.

Manvir Singh - 6/10

Lallianzuala Chhangte - NA

Udanta Singh - NA

Danish Farooq - NA

Roshan Singh - NA

Manager

Khalid Jamil - 5/10

Khalid could have wished to have a win in this clash, but given the preperation time the performance displayed by the team is justifiable.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Gurpreet Singh Sandhu