India register first-ever win against Oman at CAFA Nations Cup 2025, secure third-place finish

India stunned Oman in the third-place playoffs at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 with a brilliant performance at the Hisor Central Stadium, with a victory in the penalties. This was the first time India defeated the Oman side in the sport with a sensational 3-2 victory on penalties. With this win, India bagged a third-place finish at the tournament they were not originally playing but were invited to as a replacement team.

India displayed a brilliant game and kept Oman on their toes throughout. The Blue Tigers took the much higher-ranked Oman in the penalties after both the teams were tied 1-1 following Udanta Singh's late equaliser. India took the spot kicks first, with Lallianzuala Chhangte scoring to the upper left corner. Al Saadi went wide on his first attempt for Oman on the bottom right. Rahul Bheke came for the second spot-kick and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way before Oman missed another one with Al Kaabi skying his attempt high.

Anwar Ali then hit straight to the keeper as India missed their first before Al Rushaidi fired one for Oman to bring things 2-1 in favour of India. Jithin MS went next for India and scored after taking a brief pause, while Al Ghussaini scored one for Oman. Udanta, who had scored the equaliser, went high as it came down to the final Oman kick.



The goalscorer Yahmadi fired one, but Gurpreet saved the attempt as India won the match.

Talking about the regulation time, Oman broke the deadlock in the second half after bottling up their chances in the first one. Al Yahmadi received a good ball from Al Kaabi at the edge of the box and fired one to the bottom corner to open the score sheet.

An Indian comeback looked bleak as the clock ticked by. But Udanta Singh put a brilliant equaliser in the final 10 minutes to bring parity back. 

Valpuia hurled a throw-in in the box as Bheke flicked it to Udanta, who nailed a header to the left of the goalkeeper Al Yahamadi as the Blue Tigers equalised to push the game into the extra-time. Oman were reduced to 10 men as a player was sent off in the extra time. 

India kept Oman goalless in the first half before Al Yahmadi broke the deadlock for the 79th-ranked Asian side with his strike in the 56th minute. India equalised with Udanta Singh finding the back of the net in the 81st minute.

India and Oman had their share of chances in the first half. The 79-ranked side enjoyed the possession more but could not find a goal in the first 45 minutes. The Blue Tigers had their moments, too, but were kept at bay.