The Indian football team suffered a 3-1 loss to Tajikistan in Tursunzoda on Friday in what was the first match of the two 2026 international football friendlies scheduled during the June FIFA international window.
Sheriddin Boboev (9′), Mekhrubon Karimov (62′) and Ehsoni Panshanbe (68′) gave the hosts a 3-1 advantage before Farukh Choudhary (89’) scored from a direct free-kick to give India a consolation goal.
This was India’s third loss on the trot following defeats to Jamaica and Zimbabwe in the Unity Cup in London. The Indian team, coached by Khalid Jamil, travelled to Tajikistan directly from London.
India, 137th in the latest FIFA football rankings, looked to take the game to world No. 103 Tajikistan early on, but found it difficult to cope with the hosts’ high press.
Despite playing their first-ever match under the stewardship of new head coach Igor Angelovski, who succeeded Serbia’s Goran Stevanovic, Tajikistan looked comfortable and dominated possession.
They also went ahead within the first 10 minutes after Indian midfielder Louis Nickson committed a foul inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award Tajikistan a penalty.
Sheriddin Boboev converted the spot kick past Indian goalkeeper and skipper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to hand the hosts the lead with what eventually proved to be the only goal of the first-half.
India had a golden opportunity to equalise through Lallianzuala Chhangte in the 41st minute after Akash Mishra delivered a good cross to find the winger in a dangerous position in the Tajikistan box. His header, however, went straight to the keeper.
With Ryan Williams missing the match with an injury, Indian forwards Chhangte and Vikram Pratam Singh, despite some lung-bursting runs down the wings, were wasteful in possession.
The second half saw the hosts turn the screw and find a decisive second goal through Mekhrubon Karimov, who headed in from a free-kick at the hour mark.
Minutes later, Ehsoni Panshanbe increased their lead, this time from open play to virtually kill the game off.
Farukh Choudhary grabbed a late consolation goal for the visitors after slotting in a low driven free-kick into the bottom left corner.
This was the Tajikistan men’s football team’s fourth win over India in six head-to-head meetings.
India will face Tajikistan again in the second friendly at the Hisor Central Stadium next Tuesday.
READ MORE: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/india-vs-tajikistan-2026-football-friendlies-match-1-report
