The Blue Tigers went on to double their lead eight minutes later and the second goal also stemmed from another throw-in, this time worked short. Muhammad Uvais exchanged passes with Chhangte before swinging the ball into the box.
Even though Muhammad Uvais’ cross was slightly overhit, Anwar Ali recovered well to whip in a precise delivery for Rahul Bheke, whose thumping header was parried by the goalkeeper.
The rebound, though, dropped invitingly to Sandesh Jhingan, who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-0.
Tajikistan looked to respond through set-pieces and pulled one back in the 23rd minute after some combination play near the box helped set up Shahrom Samiev, who got the better of Sandesh Jhingan before slotting into the net to halve the deficit.
Anwar Ali had another chance to reopen India’s two-goal lead three minutes later but his volley was tipped away by the Tajikistan goalkeeper.
As the second half came to a close, the hosts continued their search for an equaliser and got half-chances through a couple of set-pieces. India’s defence, though, held firm to take a 2-1 lead into the break.
The hosts came out for the second half with greater attacking intent and had India on the back foot, forcing custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu into making a flurry of saves inside the first 10 minutes.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, in fact, proved to be a thorn in the side of Tajikistan for the rest of the half as he continued to thwart the hosts’ attacks.
Tajikistan had a golden chance to equalise in the 72nd minute after Vikram Partap Singh conceded a penalty. Rustam Soirov stepped up to the spot and looked to slot the ball to the left but Gurpreet denied him with his leg to keep India’s lead intact.
Substitute Mahesh Singh Naorem tried to put the game to bed for India in the 86th minute with a strong effort from distance that forced the goalkeeper into conceding a corner.
Tajikistan’s final chance to find an equaliser came in injury time when a floating ball into the box found Vahdat Hanonov, who couldn’t keep his header on target.
The Blue Tigers will take on world No. 20 Islamic Republic of Iran in their next CAFA Nations Cup match on Monday.