The script had promised history. India’s U23 football team arrived in Doha with the belief that this could finally be the campaign that would take them into the AFC U23 Asian Cup main draw for the very first time.
They fought bravely, produced moments of brilliance, and finished with their biggest-ever win at this level. And yet, at the end of three gruelling matches, the Blue Colts walked away with heartbreak eliminated as the fifth-best runner-up, when only four could qualify.
It was a tale of fine margins, of what-ifs, of last-minute twists elsewhere, and of opportunities that slipped by. India were placed in Group H alongside hosts Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei Darussalam. On paper, it was a group that offered real hope: one heavyweight in Qatar, one competitive side in Bahrain, and one lower-ranked opponent in Brunei.
Beating Bahrain: The Perfect Start
The campaign began on a high as India defeated Bahrain 2–0. Goals from Muhammed Suhail and Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh secured three valuable points. The performance showed tactical flexibility and resilience, with substitutions making the difference late in the game. Importantly, India looked like they belonged on this stage.
The second match against hosts Qatar was always going to be the acid test. For long spells, India matched the more experienced side and even scored first. But the defending grew increasingly stretched, and when a red card further weakened the backline, Qatar took control. Two goals one in each half condemned India to a 1–2 defeat. It was a loss that hurt not only because of the result, but because of how fine the margins were. India had their chances but lacked the composure to see the game through. The defeat meant India’s hopes of topping the group now rested on others.
The Brunei Rout: Big, but Not Big Enough
Against Brunei, India needed goals and plenty of them to give themselves the best possible shot at qualification as one of the four best second-placed teams. The Blue Colts responded with a commanding 6–0 win. Vibin Mohanan was the star with a superb hat-trick, Ayush Chhetri added one, and substitute Mohammed Aimen struck twice late on.
The scoreboard looked emphatic, but anyone who watched the match knew it could, and should, have been more. India missed several gilt-edged chances, struck the post, and at times lost patience against Brunei’s defensive low block. A 9–0 or 10–0 win, once seen as realistic, might have tilted the balance. Instead, India finished with a goal difference of +6 good, but not enough when other groups produced heavier tallies.
The Fine Margins That Hurt
The heartbreak lies not only in India’s own results but also in how events elsewhere conspired against them.
- Qatar’s comeback vs Bahrain: With Bahrain leading 1–0 late in the game, India were within touching distance of topping the group. But Qatar scored twice in injury time, flipping the table and crushing India’s hopes.
- Thailand’s late winner: In another group, Thailand scored in added time, altering the runners-up standings and nudging India out.
- Refereeing decisions and squad depth: There was also frustration at a controversial penalty decision earlier in the campaign and the fact that some Indian players were unavailable because their clubs did not release them.
In the end, India finished as the fifth-best runner-up, just one place shy of qualification. Out of 44 participating nations, they ranked 16th overall a commendable finish, but one that will always carry the sting of how close they came.
The Players Who Shone
Despite elimination, the tournament offered glimpses of India’s future.
- Vibin Mohanan emerged as the heartbeat of the side, scoring a hat-trick against Brunei and showcasing his versatility with goals from open play and set-pieces.
- Mohammed Aimen, with his long-range strikes, proved himself a clutch player capable of changing games off the bench.
- Ayush Chhetri scored once and controlled the midfield with maturity beyond his years.
- Suhail and Shivaldo both chipped in with crucial goals, underlining the squad’s depth.
These performances reaffirmed the role of the Indian Super League (ISL) in nurturing young players ready for the international stage. Most of these youngsters have already been gaining minutes in the ISL, and that exposure was visible in their confidence and tactical awareness.
India’s inability to qualify was not down to misfortune alone. The campaign highlighted structural and tactical lessons:
- Clinical finishing remains a problem. Against Brunei, India’s forwards lacked the ruthlessness required to rack up the kind of goal difference needed in this format.
- Breaking down low blocks needs a system, not just moments. Much of India’s attacking success came from individual brilliance rather than a clear tactical method to dismantle defensive teams.
- Defensive discipline must improve. The red card against Qatar and lapses under pressure show the need for greater composure at the back.
- Every goal matters. Qualification formats are unforgiving. One more goal here, one fewer conceded there, and the story might have been different.
For all the heartbreak, this campaign must be seen in context. India have never before qualified for the AFC U23 Asian Cup main draw. To come so close, to be a single spot away from breaking that barrier, is progress. Moreover, finishing 16th out of 44 nations shows that India’s youth football has moved up a tier. Ten years ago, such a campaign would have been unthinkable. The fact that disappointment now stems from missing out narrowly, rather than being outclassed, is itself a sign of how far the program has come.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) and coaching staff must build on this momentum rather than dwell on the heartbreak. Several clear action points emerge:
- More international exposure tours for U23 and U20 players, particularly against top Asian opposition, to prepare them for high-intensity games.
- A unified tactical philosophy across youth teams to ensure smoother transitions and more cohesion in style of play.
- Targeted training camps focusing on finishing, set-pieces, and breaking compact defensive systems.
- Closer coordination with clubs to ensure player availability for crucial tournaments.
If these steps are taken, this campaign will not just be remembered for what might have been, but for laying the foundation of what is to come. Football, at its cruelest, is a game of margins. For India’s U23 team, the AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers were proof of that. A 6–0 win wasn’t enough. A single added-time goal in another group made the difference.
But to focus only on the heartbreak is to miss the larger story: a young group of Indian footballers showed they could compete, they could win, and they could push some of Asia’s best to the edge. Qualification may have slipped away this time, but the journey has lit a path forward. The dream of reaching the U23 Asian Cup is no longer a fantasy it is an inevitability, waiting to be claimed.
