The Indian U23 men’s football team, popularly known as the Blue Colts, closed their AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign in style with a commanding 6-0 victory over Brunei.
The result was a showcase of attacking flair, with Vibin Mohanan scoring a hat-trick, Mohammed Aimen adding a late brace, and Ayush Chhetri chipping in with one goal. Despite the emphatic win, India’s progression will depend on the outcome of the other group fixture between Qatar and Bahrain. India wasted no time asserting themselves. In the 4th minute, Muhammed Suhail burst down the right wing and delivered a precise cutback, allowing Vibin Mohanan to finish from close range for the opening goal.
Just three minutes later, Vibin struck again—though with a stroke of fortune. Attempting a lofted pass into the box, his ball looped over the Brunei goalkeeper Hisyam and nestled into the net to make it 2-0 inside seven minutes. The early brace set the tone, as India controlled possession and repeatedly tested Brunei’s defence.
Dominance Before Half-Time
The Blue Colts continued their relentless pressure, creating chance after chance. Bikash Yumnam nearly extended the lead in the 21st minute but saw his strike go inches wide. Moments later, Sanan and Hnamte both fired from distance but couldn’t find the target. India’s persistence paid off in the 41st minute. A smart one-two between Ayush Chhetri and Sreekuttan carved open Brunei’s defence, with Ayush calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner for India’s third goal.
By half-time, India led 3-0, and the margin could easily have been greater given their dominance in midfield and fluid attacking moves.
Vibin Completes His Hat-trick
The second half resumed in the same pattern, with India pushing high and Brunei sitting deep. In the 62nd minute, Vibin capped off his stellar performance with a free-kick goal. His low strike pierced through the defensive wall and beat Hisyam into the bottom corner—securing his hat-trick and taking the score to 4-0. This was Vibin’s defining performance of the campaign, as he not only controlled midfield transitions but also produced clinical finishing.
Coach Naushad Moosa made a triple substitution in the 58th minute, introducing Mohammed Aimen, Macarton Nickson, and Sahil Harijan to inject fresh energy. The move paid off brilliantly. In the 87th minute, Aimen announced himself with a stunning strike from 20 yards, rifling the ball into the top corner to make it 5-0. Four minutes later, in stoppage time, he repeated the trick—cutting inside from the left and curling the ball past the helpless goalkeeper for his second of the night.
Aimen’s late brace added gloss to the scoreline, as India ran out 6-0 winners.
Missed Chances and Offside Frustrations
While the six goals reflected India’s dominance, the scoreline could have been even higher. Sahil Harijan missed a golden chance in the 79th minute when he mishit Vibin’s low cross from close range. Just minutes later, he had the ball in the net from an Aimen delivery but was flagged offside. Parthib Gogoi also went close with a diving header in injury time, while Aimen had a curling effort crash off the post in the 83rd minute.
The constant flow of opportunities underscored India’s attacking depth and the pressure they sustained throughout the match.
This emphatic win was the perfect response after a mixed qualifying campaign. India entered the match knowing only a win would give them any chance of progressing, and they delivered with flair. The performance was anchored by Vibin’s leadership in midfield, Suhail’s creativity on the flank, and the composure of youngsters like Chhetri and Aimen. The defensive unit, led by Bikash Yumnam, kept Brunei quiet, ensuring a clean sheet.
Waiting on Qatar vs Bahrain
Despite the convincing win, India’s fate lies beyond their control. Qualification for the AFC U23 Asian Cup depends on the result of the Qatar vs Bahrain clash. A favorable result could see the Blue Colts progress as one of the best group runners-up, while anything less might mean elimination despite finishing on a high. At full-time, the official handle of Indian Football summed it up: “The Blue Colts end the qualifiers with a win 💪 Now, we wait for results elsewhere to determine our fate ⏳.”
Key Takeaways
- Vibin Mohanan’s Hat-trick: The midfielder’s three goals defined the match and underlined his importance to this squad.
- Emergence of Aimen: Two brilliant strikes in the final minutes showcased his potential as one of India’s exciting attacking prospects.
- Ayush Chhetri’s Impact: A goal and strong midfield display reaffirmed his growing reputation as a dependable presence.
- Attacking Depth: With multiple players creating chances and contributing goals, India demonstrated variety in attack.
India’s 6-0 triumph over Brunei was a statement of intent, showing what this young squad can produce when everything clicks. From Vibin’s early heroics to Aimen’s late fireworks, the Blue Colts played with confidence, pace, and attacking flair. Yet, as commanding as the win was, their AFC U23 Asian Cup journey hangs in the balance. The team and fans alike now turn their attention to the Qatar vs Bahrain match, which will decide whether this emphatic performance becomes the foundation for further progress or the final chapter of the campaign.
Either way, India’s young guns have shown they are ready to compete at the highest level in Asia, offering a glimpse into the promising future of Indian football.
