Monday 08 / September / 2025
HISOR: Oman went down to India 2-3 in a pulsating shootout in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 third-place playoff match in the Tajikistan city of Hisor on Monday. Both the teams were tied 1-1 in regulation and extra time.
Oman, coached by Carlos Queiroz, and ranked 54 places above India, started the game on the front foot, dominating possession and pinning India back into their own half. Abdulrahman Al Mushaifri’s early surging runs down the left flank caused repeated problems, but the Indian defence held firm. Despite enjoying up to 76 percent possession at one stage, Oman struggled to convert dominance into goals while India gradually found their rhythm but the first half ended goalless
The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute. Oman’s Jameel Al Yahmadi, capitalising on sustained Omani pressure, finished clinically with the outside of his boot to give Oman a 1-0 lead. India responded with intensity, pressing for an equaliser, but their final third lacked precision. Oman nearly doubled their advantage with a deflected strike from the edge of the box, keeping the game delicately poised.
India’s breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute via a trademark long throw-in routine. The flick-on inside the box fell to Udanta Singh, who dived to head the ball past Oman goalkeeper Ibrahim Al Mukhaini, leveling the scores at 1-1. Despite a flurry of late chances from both sides, neither could find a winner in regulation, sending the match into extra time.
Oman began extra time strongly, but their hopes suffered a major setback in the 98th minute when they were reduced to 10 men following a red card. Even with the numerical advantage, India could not break the deadlock, and the drama moved to penalties where two Omani players shot wide and Al Yahmadi’s shot was saved by Indian goalie Gurpreet Singh.
