All posts tagged: AFC U20

A tale of missed opportunities

Published by Webster

India’s campaign at the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers mirrored a recurring challenge faced by the senior national team – lack of finishing. The Blue Colts came agonizingly close to qualifying for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025, in what was their best attempt in over two decades. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, they missed out by the narrowest of margins. An anxious end The team entered their final Group G match against Laos with a clear objective: secure a win and hope the results from other groups would work in their favor. After a strong victory over Mongolia (4-1) and a narrow defeat to IR Iran (0-1), India had to win against Laos to keep their qualification hopes alive. The Blue Colts did their part, defeating Laos 2-0, but their fate depended on results from other games. The qualification format saw the group winners and the five best second-placed teams advance to the final tournament. Despite their win against Laos, India’s fate remained uncertain as they anxiously awaited the results of other matches across …

India beat Laos to finish second in Group G of AFC U20 qualifiers

Published by Webster

India defeated hosts Laos by two second half goals in their concluding Group G match of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2025 at the Lao National Stadium KM16 on Sunday, September 29, 2024. In a match that could have won by a tennis-like score, the Blue Colts squandered a series of scoring chances before finding the net through Gwgwmsar Goyary (69’) and Thanglalsoun Gangte (84’) to notch up full points. While India finished with six points from three matches and were second in the four-team group behind IR Iran, it remains to be seen whether this performance can secure them a spot in the final rounds of the competition. The top teams of the 10 groups along with the five best second-place finishers will qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025. India finished second in group G with a 6-2 goal difference. India spent most of the first 45 minutes lurking around the Laos area to find a goal but had to troop back to the dressing room without success. While the …

India U20 suffer narrow defeat against IR Iran in AFC qualifiers

Published by Webster

India went down to four-time champions IR Iran by a solitary goal in their second Group G match of the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2025 at the Lao National Stadium KM16 on Friday, September 27, 2024. After keeping their potent rivals at bay for most of the match, the Indian goal finally fell in the 88th minute when Yousef Mazraeh managed to beat Indian custodian Priyansh Dubey. It was definitely a creditable show by the Blue Colts against a team considered traditional powers of Asian football. India were beaten, but were in no way disgraced. With three points from two matches, India U20s also kept alive their hopes of finishing second in the group and moving into the tournament proper. The top teams of the 10 groups, along with the five best second-place finishers, will qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025. India, currently second in the group with a 4-2 goal difference, will play hosts Laos in their final match on Sunday. Laos lost 0-8 to Iran in their first match. …