India thrashed Brunei 6-0 on Tuesday to improve its goal difference vehemently, but its qualification to the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup 2026 is yet to be confirmed.
Vibin Mohanan netted a hat-trick, Mohammed Aimen netted a brace, and Ayush Chhetri also found the net for the Blue Colts in what was a must-win match for their qualification chances.
With its part of the work completed, Naushad Moosa’s India will wait for other results to take shape in its favour. It will hope that in the other Group H match between Qatar and Bahrain, the latter beats the former by not more than two goals. In this case, India will go top by virtue of a better head-to-head goal difference in the matches involving the top three teams
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Should Qatar draws with Bahrain, India will need to depend on favours from other groups to be among the top four of all the second-placed teams.
Amongst the best second-placed teams, India is currently fifth. Below it is Turkmenistan, on six points too, but currently losing against Jordan will work in the Blue Colts’ favour. Above India — only the best four second-placed teams will go through — is Iran with six points and +4 GD on India. Iran will now play UAE.
If Jordan beats Turkmenistan and UAE thrashes Iran by a margin of four goals, India will go through.
Published on Sep 09, 2025
