India will meet Oman in the third-place playoff of the CAFA Nations Cup at Hisor Central Stadium in Tajikistan on Monday. The Blue Tigers hope to end their campaign with a crucial win after a mixed group stage performance.

How India Reached the Playoff

India secured their spot after a 0-0 draw with Afghanistan in their final Group B match. Later, a 2-2 draw between Iran and Tajikistan confirmed India’s progression to the next round.

Oman’s Unbeaten Run

Oman enters the match unbeaten, finishing second in Group A. They began with a 1-1 draw against Uzbekistan, followed by a 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan and a 2-1 victory against Turkmenistan. However, Uzbekistan topped the group on superior goal difference after a 4-0 win over Kyrgyzstan.

India’s Group B Performance

India, led by coach Khalid Jamil, earned four points from three matches, including one win. Iran topped the group with seven points, while hosts Tajikistan also had four points but fell behind India due to the head-to-head result in the opening match, where India won 2-1.

Preparing for AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers

India aims to regroup and deliver a stronger performance as the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore approach in October. The third-place playoff will also test the team’s readiness for upcoming international fixtures.

The two sides last met in March 2021, in India’s first international match after the Covid lockdown, which ended 1-1. Overall, India looks for redemption, while Oman seeks to extend their unbeaten streak and finish the tournament on a high note.