NEW DELHI : India’s two-decade-long wait to play in the AFC U20 Asian Cup ended on Sunday (September 6) as the Blue Colts qualified for the main tournament after securing a 3-0 win over Bangladesh in their third and final group-stage match in Tashkent.
The win over Bangladesh was India’s second victory in the qualifying tournament and it took their tally to six points from three matches. However, they had to wait for the result of the Syria vs Uzbekistan match, which was played later on Sunday, to know their fate.
With Syria suffering a 0-3 defeat to Uzbekistan, India finished second in Group B and qualified for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament after 20 years as one of the seven best runners-up across the eight groups.
India last played in the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament in 2006.
Uzbekistan also qualified as group winners with nine points. Syria finished third with three points, while bottom-placed Bangladesh were relegated to the Development Phase after losing all three of their matches.
The main tournament will be held in China from March 24 to April 10, 2027.
In the must-win match against Bangladesh, Danny Meitei Laishram opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Vishal Yadav doubled India’s advantage with an acrobatic finish on the hour mark. Substitute Md Arbash then sealed the victory with a powerful strike in the 79th minute.
After India confirmed their place in the main tournament, the young Indian players celebrated the achievement by dancing outside the team’s hotel.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) also took to X to share a video of the Indian players celebrating their qualification for the AFC U20 Asian Cup main tournament.
In the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, India defeated Syria 1-0 in their opening Group B match at Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Monday (August 31), but suffered a 0-4 defeat against Uzbekistan in their second group match on Thursday (September 3).
