20-year wait ends: India qualify for AFC U20 Asian Cup with 3-0 win over Bangladesh

Image Credit: Indian Football India booked their place in the main event of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years after beating Bangladesh 3-0 in the final qualifier on Sunday.The win was India’s second in three matches and gave them six points. However, they had to wait for the result of the later Syria vs Uzbekistan match to confirm their qualification.With Syria losing 0–3 to Uzbekistan, India finished second in Group B and qualified for the main event of the AFC U20 Asian Cup after 20 years as one of the top seven runners-up teams in eight groups. India last played in the main tournament of the AFC U20 Asian Cup in 2006.Uzbekistan also qualified as group winners with nine points. Syria finished third with three points and bottom-placed Bangladesh were relegated to the development stage after losing all three matches. The main tournament will be held in China from March 24 to April 10, 2027.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 match with a powerful strike in the 79th minute.The match started evenly with neither side able to gain control during the opening exchanges.India took the lead in the 25th minute with an excellent piece of coordinated pressing and attacking play. Danny put Md Abdul Riyad Fahim under pressure and forced the Bangladeshi defender to give away possession cheaply to Hatee Ali.The Indian striker showed excellent insight to take on two defenders before laying the ball for an unmarked Danny in the penalty area. Danny kept his composure and raced to the finish to give India the lead in a crucial contest.The goal lifted the Blue Colts who began to dictate the tempo, maintaining possession and probing patiently for a while. Danny almost doubled the advantage in the 34th minute when his looping free-kick dipped dangerously towards goal, but Bangladesh keeper Raj Chowdhury stayed alert and saved.India continued after the break in the same manner in which they ended the first half, keeping Bangladesh under pressure and looking for another wicket.The second goal came in the 60th minute. A long throw into the box was taken by Rishikanta towards Vishal who produced an acrobatic finish to beat Chowdhury and stun the Bangladesh defence.Bangladesh tried to make a comeback after going down by two goals and started playing with more aggression. However, India remained organized at the back, absorbing the pressure without allowing the opposition a way back into the match.India head coach Mahesh Gawali introduced Md Arbash and Prashan Jajo in the 72nd minute to replace Danny and Vishal. The change soon paid off as Arbash was in no doubt seven minutes later.Yaipharemba Chingakham started the move before India exchanged a series of passes to unlock the Bangladesh defence. Arbash finished off the attack with a powerful left-footed strike into the net to make it 3-0.Gawali made three more changes during the closing stages as he introduced Aniket Yadav, Omang Dodum and Daniyal Makakmayum as India comfortably watched out the rest of the match.(With inputs from PTI)