Afghanistan’s under-17 national football team played to a 0-0 draw against Turkmenistan in their second match of the 2026 CAFA U-17 Championship on Tuesday in Tashkent.

Despite determined efforts from both sides, neither team was able to find a breakthrough in a closely contested match, with Afghanistan securing their first point of the tournament.

Afghanistan entered the match looking to recover from a narrow 2-1 defeat to Kyrgyzstan in their opening fixture on Monday, making the result an important step in keeping their campaign on track.

With two matches remaining, Afghanistan will be aiming for strong performances to improve their position in the standings and challenge for a higher finish.

Fans across the country can follow the action closely, with Afghanistan’s matches being screened live on Ariana Television. The next match will be on Thursday, 9 April when the team takes on Uzbekistan at 4:25 pm.

Afghanistan’s final match will be on Saturday, 11 April against Tajikistan at 1:25 pm.

The tournament wraps up on April 13 and serves as a development stage for youth football in the region, offering players valuable international exposure while allowing national federations to assess rising talent.

Afghanistan’s youth teams are increasingly seen as central to the country’s long-term football ambitions. For many of the players, the CAFA U-17 Championship represents not only a chance to compete for silverware, but also an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a regional stage.

Afghanistan’s under-17 national football team will kick off their CAFA U-17 Championship 2026 campaign against Kyrgyzstan on Monday, as the regional competition gets underway in Tashkent.

The opening fixture represents a key early test for the young Afghan side, which is aiming to make a strong impression in a tournament widely regarded as an important platform for emerging football talent in Central Asia.

The match is scheduled to begin at 1:25 p.m. Kabul time, with all of Afghanistan’s matches set to be broadcast live across the country on Ariana Television.

Afghanistan head into the tournament with a squad of promising young players, and coaching staff will be looking for a confident start against a competitive Kyrgyz side. In short-format regional competitions, opening matches often carry added significance, with momentum and goal difference playing a decisive role in shaping standings.

Five teams — Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan — are competing in this year’s edition, which follows a round-robin format. Each team faces the others once, leaving little margin for error in a tightly packed schedule.

Afghanistan U-17 Match Schedule (Live on Ariana Television)
Monday, 6 April: Afghanistan vs Kyrgyzstan — 1:25 PM
Tuesday, 7 April: Afghanistan vs Turkmenistan — 4:25 PM
Thursday, 9 April: Afghanistan vs Uzbekistan — 4:25 PM
Saturday, 11 April: Afghanistan vs Tajikistan — 1:25 PM
Semifinals: TBC (if qualified)
Final: TBC (if qualified)

The tournament runs from April 6 to April 13 and serves as a development stage for youth football in the region, offering players valuable international exposure while allowing national federations to assess rising talent.

Afghanistan’s youth teams are increasingly seen as central to the country’s long-term football ambitions. For many of the players, the CAFA U-17 Championship represents not only a chance to compete for silverware, but also an opportunity to showcase their abilities on a regional stage.

A strong result in the opening match could provide Afghanistan with an early boost in confidence and set the tone for the rest of their campaign, as they look to establish themselves among Central Asia’s next generation of football talent.

The first double-header day of IPL 2026 produced high drama and key shifts in the points table, with Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals climbing to the top two spots after registering important victories.

In the afternoon fixture, Delhi Capitals defeated Mumbai Indians to secure crucial points early in the tournament. Later in the evening, Rajasthan Royals edged past Gujarat Titans in a thrilling contest, sealing their second consecutive win and moving to the top of the standings.

Rajasthan posted an imposing total of 210/6 in their 20 overs, powered by impressive half-centuries from Dhruv Jurel, who scored 75 off 42 balls, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who added 55 off 36 deliveries.

In response, Gujarat Titans looked competitive for large parts of the chase, thanks to a classy 73 from Sai Sudharsan. However, after a strong start, their innings faltered dramatically. From a comfortable 107/1, they slipped to 133/5, losing momentum under pressure.

Late resistance from Kagiso Rabada (23 not out) and stand-in captain Rashid Khan (24) brought the equation down to 10 runs needed off the final over, setting up a tense finish.

But Rajasthan’s Tushar Deshpande delivered under pressure, producing a superb final over filled with pinpoint yorkers. Despite conceding an early wide, he restricted the Titans to just four runs, sealing a narrow six-run victory for the Royals.

The result marked Gujarat Titans’ second consecutive loss in the tournament, while Rajasthan Royals continued their strong start. With early momentum on their side, both Rajasthan and Delhi will aim to maintain their form as the competition intensifies.

The IPL continues to draw massive global audiences, and fans in Afghanistan can follow all the action live. Ariana Television Network (ATN) holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the tournament in the country.

Matches are being aired live on Ariana Television, bringing every moment of the IPL directly to viewers. Fans are also encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News on social media for the latest updates, highlights and match coverage throughout the tournament.