What happened when India last qualified for AFC U-20 Asian Cup?
India finished second in Group B of AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.
India are all set to make their return in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup which will be held in China between March 24th to April 10th in 2027. The Blue Colts reach the AFC U-20 Asian Cup after their 3-0 victory over Bangladesh at the Do’stlik Stadium in Tashkent on September 6, 2026.
India faced Syria, Uzbekistan and Bangladesh in their qualification run in Group B. The Blue Colts only narrowly defeated Syria 1-0 after a late goal by Shami Singamayum.
They next faced hosts Uzbekistan where the team found their wake-up call after being defeated 4-0. The Blue Colts left no stone unturned in a must win game against Bangladesh with goals from MD Arbash, Vishal Yadav and Danny Meitei Laishram sealing the qualification for the team.
This is the first time India have qualified for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup since they last hosted it back in 2006, when it was still known as the AFC Youth Championship. As Mahesh Gawali and his team get ready for the continental challenge next year, let us look at what happened the last time India played in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup.
India’s performance in AFC Youth Championship 2006
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India participated in the tournament with 15 other teams. The teams were divided into 4 groups of 4 teams.
India being the hosts, were drawn in Group A alongside South Korea, Jordan and Kyrgyzstan. South Korea topped the group with 9 points in 3 games, followed by Jordan in the 2nd spot with 4 points, along with Kyrgyzstan with 2 points at the 3rd position, whereas India (the hosts) finished last with 1 point to their name.
Let us take a look at all 3 matches that India U-20 played in 2006.
India vs Kyrgyzstan (29th October 2006, Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata)
India’s first match as the hosts was against Kyrgyzstan who got eliminated from the tournament after getting only 2 points from all 3 of their matches.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw as Amirov gave Kyrgyzstan a lead right before the halftime and India’s very own Lalkamal Bhowmick converted a penalty in the 71st minute to get things on level term.
The match remained a close one despite multiple chances and attempts from both teams and ended in a 1-1 draw.
Read more: Top 3 players from India U-20’s AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 campaign
India vs Jordan (31st October 2006, Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata)
In their next match, India would go on to face Jordan, who finished 2nd in the group and went on to reach the semi-finals and eventually lose the 3rd place match.
The match between India and Jordan ended with a scoreline of 3-2 in favor of Jordan. India who despite getting an early goal from Branco Vincent Cardozo in the 25th minute, conceded in the 33rd minute with a goal from Badr Abu Salim.
After halftime, India further went on to concede and ended up 2-1 down by the 70th minute of the game. India put up a fight and eventually managed to snatch a goal back with a goal from Paresh Matondkar in the 77th minute.
Jordan, in their not giving up attitude, took the lead back with the second goal of the night for Nofal in the 83rd minute. Despite their best efforts, India could not manage to get a goal in the final minutes of the game.
India vs South Korea (2nd November 2006, Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata)
To keep their hopes alive for a spot in the knockout round, India had to defeat South Korea and then hope that Jordan and Kyrgyzstan both draw each other (which they eventually did).
But fate had different plans for India as South Korea demolished them 3-0 in what would be their last AFC U-20 Asian Cup game for over 20 years.
The match was a close one until South Korea scored eventually in the 76th minute of the game. South Korea followed up with 2 goals in the span of the next 16 minutes to destroy any last remaining hopes of the Indian team.
South Korea would eventually reach the semi-finals where they would lose to the eventual champions Japan on penalties. South Korea did manage to get some consolation by defeating Jordan in the 3rd place match played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
Mahesh Gawali’s side ready for bigger challenge
Mahesh Gawali and his team hope to outperform their predecessors in the best way possible.
The squad may not be perfect, however, there are a lot of positives in the team that may ensure that India reach far beyond into the knockout stages of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027.
When did India U-20 last qualify for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup?
India last qualified for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup back in 2006 (AFC Youth Championship) when they were also the hosts of the tournament.
How did India U-20 perform in their previous time at the tournament?
India finished bottom of the group with a 1 draw and 2 defeats during their campaign.
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