India’s Blue Tigers are gearing up for an exciting third-place clash against Oman in the CAFA Nations Cup. Even though it’s their first time in this tournament, the Indian men’s football team is buzzing with energy. As the second-lowest ranked side, they’re set to face the 79th-ranked Omanis at Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Monday. Ranked 133rd in FIFA, India has shown real promise so far.
In their three matches, India grabbed a win against hosts Tajikistan, suffered a loss to Iran, and played out a thrilling draw with Afghanistan. This performance knocked out Tajikistan and Afghanistan, landing India in the play-offs. Head coach Khalid Jamil shared this positive vibe at the pre-match press conference.
“All our players are doing great and staying upbeat after these results,” Jamil said. “We need to carry this energy into the Oman game. I have a strong feeling we’ll get a good outcome.” He praised the team’s belief and hard work, which got them this far. “From the start, we knew we could achieve something special. The players’ commitment was outstanding—seniors and juniors alike stepped up. They adapted brilliantly to the conditions. We didn’t just come to participate; we arrived with a clear purpose and kept the positivity flowing.”
Jamil knows Oman won’t be easy. Coached by the experienced Carlos Queiroz, Oman topped their group with quality players. “Oman is a strong team with a top coach and skilled players,” Jamil admitted. “They’ve performed well, so it’ll be tough. We’ll have to battle for every moment, but we’re ready.”
India and Oman have met 10 times, but the Blue Tigers haven’t won yet. Oman claimed seven victories, with three draws. Still, Jamil eyes a breakthrough. “Our main goal is to secure a result—that’s what counts most,” he stressed.
India has scored just two goals in the tournament, both from set-pieces in their 2-1 win over Tajikistan. The team is pushing to boost open-play scoring, but Jamil focuses on overall team effort. “How you score doesn’t matter as long as you perform well,” he explained. “Sometimes it’s open play, sometimes set-pieces—it’s all part of football. The key is getting results.” He added, “We’re definitely working on open-play goals. We’ve created chances, but we need more and better conversion. We’ll keep at it until we succeed.”
Looking ahead, India prepares for AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Singapore in October. Jamil sees the CAFA Nations Cup as perfect preparation. “Playing more matches like this helps us improve and build the team,” he said. “It’s been a smart move to join. But right now, our full focus is on the Oman match.”
Defender Boris Singh Thangjam echoed the team’s readiness. After their goalless draw with Afghanistan, the players have recovered well over the last three days. “Oman is competitive, but we know our game plan,” Boris said. “We’ve prepared hard, everyone’s feeling fresh, and we’re set to give our best shot.”
Fans are rooting for the Blue Tigers to shine in this Indian football milestone. Will they finally beat Oman and claim third place? Stay tuned for updates on this CAFA Nations Cup showdown!
