Uzbekistan created history as they lifted their first CAFA Nations Cup trophy in Tashkent. The host beat Iran 1-0 in the final.
Till the 90th minute, both the teams were goalless as the scoreline read 0-0, and the match moved to the extra time.
The players’ endurance and strength became crucial during the extra-time. The Uzbek team knew they had to give it all, and mounted attacks in pursuit of goals.
As a result, in the 119th minute, Hojiakbar Alijonov’s accurate shot found the back of the net. The goal was enough to determine the champions of the tournament.
Thus, the Uzbekistan national team won gold medals at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025.
The Iranian national team, under head coach Amir Galenoyi, settled for second place.
On the other hand, India bagged the bronze medal as they edged past Oman 3-2 on penalties in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. The third-place clash on September 8 in Hisor ended 1-1 after regulation time, but it was veteran goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, playing the captain’s role in Sandesh Jhingan’s absence, who produced the decisive save to seal the win.
This was a gigantic victory for India who have lost six out of their nine matches against Oman since 2000. The two teams last faced each other in March 2021 which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Also Read: CAFA Nations Cup India Vs Afghanistan: What’s at stake?
CAFA Nations Cup 2025: Award Winners
Uzbekistan national team forward Igor Sergeev finished as the tournament’s top scorer. His accurate shots and decisive goals played a key role in the team’s successful performance.
Hojiakbar Alijonov, who scored the winning goal in the decisive final, was awarded the “Best Player” award.
Iran national team member Saidpayyam Niyazmand was found to be the most reliable goalkeeper. He managed to save many dangerous shots during the tournament, playing important matches for his team.
The following awards were presented at the end of the tournament:
Best Player: Khojiakbar Alijonov (Uzbekistan)
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Top Goalscorer: Igor Sergeev (Uzbekistan)
Best Goalkeeper: Payam Niazmand (Iran)
Fair Play Award: Tajikistan
