India U17 Qualify for AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026, a Thrilling Campaign in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Ahmedabad
India topped a brutal group to qualify for AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026. Ahmedabad’s EKA Arena by TransStadCo became a battleground of dreams this November, as India’s U17 men’s football team embarked on a rollercoaster journey in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
Hosting Group D from November 22 to 30, 2025, the young lads from India weren’t just playing for points; they were chasing history, a spot in Saudi Arabia’s continental showdown in 2026, and their 10th appearance in the tournament. What unfolded was a campaign laced with grit, heartbreak, and sheer magic, a testament to the rising pulse of Indian youth football.
Drawn against heavyweights like Iran (former champions), Palestine, Lebanon, and Chinese Taipei, the Blue Colts faced a group that promised fireworks. Under coach Bibiano Fernandes, this squad of teenagers blended raw talent, drawing on recent SAFF U17 Championship glory to fuel their fire. With home support echoing through the stands, every match felt like a festival of football. Let’s rewind through the highs and lows that made this Ahmedabad chapter unforgettable.
Kicking Off with Resilience: The Palestine Draw (November 22)
Palestine drawing level in the 74th minute helped them secure a 1-1 draw against India in a tightly contested match. The first half appeared headed for a scoreless stalemate until India broke the deadlock right on the cusp of halftime, when Shubham Poonia leaped above the defense to head in the opener. India failed to build on their advantage, and it proved costly as Palestine equalized in the 74th minute.
Amir Jomah picked up the ball, surged forward on his own, and coolly placed his shot beyond goalkeeper Rajrup Sarkar.
Deep into added time, both teams nearly snatched a winner: Sarkar did well to push away a threatening low cross from Mohyeddin Hasasna, while at the other end, Palestinian keeper Hamza Sobhieh denied Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam’s fierce effort from a tight angle. It ended 1-1, a point on the board but a reminder that nothing comes easy in Asia’s youth arena. Still, the draw kept spirits high; after all, the group was wide open, and the EKA Arena’s electric atmosphere hinted at bigger things to come.
India staged an impressive comeback to defeat Chinese Taipei 3-1, thanks to a sensational late burst of goals. The Blue Colts found themselves trailing as early as the third minute when Hao-Wei Yang fired the visitors ahead. However, Dallalmuon Gangte restored parity in the 31st minute with a clinical finish to make it 1-1.
Chinese Taipei defended resolutely for most of the second half, but the dam finally broke in the closing stages. Gangte took centre stage, completing a memorable hat-trick with two quickfire strikes in the 77th and 79th minutes to turn the game on its head. The victory lifted India level with Iran on four points in the group. The 3-1 victory wasn’t just three points; it was a statement. Gangte’s four goals across the campaign (including this haul) earned him whispers of “next big thing” in Indian football circles.
Suddenly, India sat level with Iran at the top, and the qualifiers felt like a winnable war.
A Stumble Against Lebanon: The Reality Check (November 28)
No story’s complete without a plot twist, and Lebanon’s clinical edge delivered one on Friday night. India suffered a 0-2 defeat to Lebanon in a frustrating encounter that saw the Blue Colts dominate spells of possession yet come away empty-handed.
The first real chance fell to India in the ninth minute when Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam danced past Marc Mansour on a brilliant solo run, only to crash his low drive against the foot of the post. Lebanon made the most of their opportunities, taking the lead in the 26th minute. A poorly defended corner allowed the ball to fall kindly to Antonie Assaf, who whipped a superb curling shot into the top corner.
The Cedars extended their advantage eight minutes before half-time when Abbas Zreik weaved into the penalty area and teed up Paul Maakaroun, whose shot took a wicked deflection to deceive goalkeeper Rajrup Sarkar and nestle into the net. India threw everything forward after the break in search of a route back into the contest, but Lebanon custodian Jason Finianos stood firm with a string of vital saves.
The afternoon turned even sourer in stoppage time when Thonggoumang Touthang received a straight red card for violent conduct as Lebanon held on comfortably for all three points.
Epic Finale: Stunning Iran to Seal Qualification (November 30)
In a tense showdown where Iran only needed a draw to qualify for the Finals, it was Iran who struck first in the 19th minute. Amirreza Valipoor showed excellent composure to cushion a threaded pass and coolly place the ball into the bottom-right corner.
India refused to lie down and earned a lifeline at the end of the half-time when Heeranganba Seram was brought down inside the box. Dallalmuon Gangte stepped up confidently, sending goalkeeper Bardiya Dorri the wrong way to level the scores from the penalty spot.
The turnaround was complete seven minutes into the second half. Amirmahan Afroziani’s attempted clearance from a dangerous cross went awry, and Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam pounced on the loose ball to fire a low drive that squirmed under Dorri and into the same bottom-right corner.
Despite throwing numbers forward in the closing stages, Iran could not find an equaliser as India defended resolutely to claim a famous 2-1 victory. The win propelled India to the top of the group on head-to-head ratio, with both teams ending the campaign level on seven points. As the final whistle blew, the pitch turned into a sea of blue hugs and tears Bibiano’s boys had done the impossible by topping the group of death, qualifying for the 10th time and joining an elite club of Indian teams (senior women, U20 women, and U17 women) to make Asia’s cut this year.
The Stars Who Made It Happen
Dallalmuon Gangte: The undoubted star of the tournament
- Scored a clinical equalizer against Chinese Taipei (31st minute).
- Completed a dramatic hat-trick with two goals in three minutes (77th & 79th) to turn a 1-1 draw into a 3-1 win over Chinese Taipei.
- Confidently converted a crucial penalty against IR Iran to make it 1-1, setting the stage for the comeback.
Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam: Constant threat and match-winner
Scored the decisive second goal against IR Iran (52nd minute), drilling home the winner that sent India through plus multiple big chances created, key in both attack and dribbling.
Shubham Poonia (Centre Back)
Scored the opening goal (header on the stroke of half-time) in the 1-1 draw against Palestine, giving India the lead just before the break.
Rajrup Sarkar (Goalkeeper)
- Made an important late save to deny Mohyeddin Hasasna in the 1-1 draw with Palestine, preserving a vital point.
- Solid under pressure; was composed with match-winning contributions when it mattered most.
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From heartbreak against Lebanon to ecstasy against Iran in just 48 hours, Bibiano’s boys showed maturity beyond their years. Gangte’s emergence as a goal machine, Gunleiba’s clutch magic, and the collective spine to topple Iran signal a generation ready to carry the tricolor higher.
With the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 on the horizon (May 7–24 in Saudi Arabia), where the top eight snag FIFA U-17 World Cup spots, India’s Blue Colts are geared up. For fans dreaming of more nights like this, it’s a reminder: Indian youth football is no longer a whisper, it’s a roar.
As Ahmedabad’s echoes fade, the journey to Saudi beckons. Saudi Arabia 2026 awaits. The top eight there will punch tickets to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. If Ahmedabad was anything to go by, don’t bet against these Blue Colts creating even bigger waves.
