India U23 lost 1-0 to Tajikistan in the deciding match of the Tri‑Nation Championship 2026
Khaitov Azizbek scored in the ninth minute with a deflected strike past Mohan Raj
India created several chances, including Suhail’s early miss, but failed to equalise
India 0-1 Tajikistan, U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026: Azizbek Strike Down Blue Colts In Title Clash
India vs Tajikistan, U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026: Khaitov Azizbek’s ninth‑minute goal gave Tajikistan a 1‑0 win over India U23 in Yupia, clinching the Tri‑Nation Championship with two clean sheets, as the Blue Colts finished second
Summary
The India U23 men's national team went down 0-1 against Tajikistan in the deciding fixture of the U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026 at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday.
A first-half goal by Tajikistan midfielder Khaitov Azizbek (9') proved to be the difference as the Blue Colts, despite creating a number of chances and applying sustained pressure, were unable to find the equaliser.
With this result, Tajikistan clinched the U23 Tri-Nation Championship with two wins from two matches, maintaining clean sheets in both outings. India finished second with one win, while Bhutan ended third without any points.
The Blue Colts began on the front foot, pressing high and putting the Tajikistan defence under early pressure. Suhail had an early opportunity in the eighth minute, latching onto a precise through ball from Mohammed Sanan, but rushed his effort wide.
However, Tajikistan took the lead a minute later. Azizbek's long-range strike took a deflection off Pramveer Singh's shoulder, wrong-footing India goalkeeper Mohan Raj, who could not do much to stop the ball from finding its way into the net.
India responded positively and continued to carve out chances, but could not find the back of the net.
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