India’s U17 boys kept their AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026 hopes firmly alive with a stirring 3–1 comeback victory over Chinese Taipei at the Eka Arena, thanks to a magnificent hat-trick from captain Dallalmuon Gangte.
On an evening that began with anxiety and early setbacks, the Blue Colts showed maturity, resilience, and attacking conviction to claim their first win of the campaign.
India entered the match needing nothing less than three points after their opening 1–1 draw against Palestine. Only the group winners are guaranteed a place in next year’s continental finals in Saudi Arabia, adding weight to every minute of the Qualifiers. And yet, despite the urgency, India began the contest in the worst possible manner.
Chinese Taipei, reeling from a 0–5 loss to IR Iran earlier in the week but still alive in the group, struck almost immediately. In just the third minute, Yang Hao punished India for a momentary lapse in defensive shape, finishing calmly past Rajrup Sarkar to put the visitors ahead. The early blow silenced the home crowd and forced India into chase mode far sooner than the coaching staff would have preferred.
Bibiano Fernandes’ side, however, refused to panic. The Blue Colts settled into possession, used their width intelligently, and began stitching together more coherent attacking phases. The midfield regained control, and India’s wide forwards repeatedly tested the Chinese Taipei full-backs, who had looked compact and disciplined throughout the earlier stages of the tournament. Despite trailing, India showed patience and clarity traits that had been stressed after the opening draw with Palestine.
Several half-chances followed. Rehan’s delivery from the right nearly created a shooting opportunity, while a sharp overlapping run opened space for Gangte, whose angled effort forced a smart save from the goalkeeper. But the hosts still lacked the final punch, and as the half-hour mark approached, Chinese Taipei seemed content to absorb pressure and protect their early lead.
Gangte’s Equaliser Restores Balance
The breakthrough arrived in the 32nd minute and it came from the skipper. The move was crafted down the left, where Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box. Gangte, left unmarked, guided his finish with composure into the bottom corner, drawing India level and flipping the momentum in the hosts’ favour.
The equaliser injected urgency and tempo into the contest. Both sides traded quick bursts forward before the referee blew for half-time with the score locked at 1–1. For India, the comeback was a sign of maturity; for Chinese Taipei, it was a reminder of how costly momentary defensive lapses can be.
The second half began with an immediate uptick in intensity. India moved the ball more decisively and looked sharper in their off-the-ball organisation. Bibiano’s instructions at the break were clear impose control, press with structure, and increase the pace in the final third.
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Early in the half, Gangte nearly added his second after bringing down a clever through ball, cutting inside beautifully, and firing a shot that forced another timely stop. Rehan’s deliveries continued to trouble the Chinese Taipei defence, and India steadily tilted the match in their favour.
Chinese Taipei, now pinned deeper into their own half, struggled to retain possession and looked increasingly vulnerable to India’s pressing triggers. It was only a matter of time before the pressure produced results.
Captain Fantastic: Two Goals in Two Minutes
The defining moment came in the 76th minute. A loose clearance from the Chinese Taipei defence fell to Gangte at the edge of the area. The India No. 10 took a touch, assessed his angle, and drilled a precise low strike into the bottom corner to make it 2–1. The stadium erupted India had turned the match around.
Barely two minutes later, Gangte completed his hat-trick in emphatic fashion. Dropping deeper to receive the ball outside the box, he shifted it onto his left foot and unleashed a powerful drive that arrowed past the goalkeeper. It was a finish of pure conviction, sealing his status as the most influential player on the pitch.
The skipper’s two quickfire goals transformed the atmosphere inside the Eka Arena. India now played with freedom, stretching Chinese Taipei’s tiring defensive line. Diamond Singh came close to adding a fourth, while Lalbempuia nearly scored from close range as India piled on the pressure in the closing minutes.
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The win lifted India to four points from two matches, level with IR Iran but behind on goal difference. With Lebanon and Palestine also in the mix, the group remains finely poised ahead of India’s next match against Lebanon on Friday.
For Chinese Taipei, the defeat confirmed their elimination they remain bottom with just one point from three matches. After a competitive draw with Lebanon in their opener, their campaign lost momentum, and despite scoring first in Ahmedabad, they were ultimately overpowered by India’s second-half surge.
Most importantly, this victory highlighted the composure and leadership of Gangte, whose hat-trick will be remembered as one of the standout performances of the qualifying cycle. His timing, movement, and finishing turned a difficult evening into a commanding result one that keeps India very much alive in their quest for a spot in the AFC U17 Asian Cup.
