India clinched third place in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 with a dramatic 3–2 win over Oman in a penalty shootout at the Hisor Central Stadium.
The match ended 1–1 in regulation time, with Udanta Singh scoring the equalizer for India before the game went to penalties.
This marks India’s first-ever victory over Oman, a higher-ranked West Asian opponent, in competitive football. In the shootout, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rahul Bheke, and Jithin MS converted their spot kicks, while goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a crucial save to seal the win.
India had previously lost six out of nine matches against Oman since 2000, making this triumph a significant milestone for the national team. Both teams had finished second in their respective groups, setting up the third-place playoff.
The result is expected to boost India’s confidence ahead of upcoming international fixtures and reflects the growing strength of Indian football on the Asian stage.
