India U20 cruise past Bangladesh U20 to secure AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 spot after 20 years

A dominant display by the Blue Colts

Twenty years on, India are back at the AFC U20 Asian Cup. India U20 made a clear and strong statement in their last group fixture against Bangladesh U20 in the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, as they secured a convincing 3-0 victory in a must-win encounter after Mahesh Gawali’s boys after they produced a dominant performance. With the win over Bangladesh U20, the Blue Colts have booked their spot in the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027, which will be hosted by China.

The Blue Colts started the game with plenty of attacking intent and possession on their side, Danny Meitei gave the lead with the first goal in the 25th minute, as Vishal Yadav and MD Arbash followed him as they bagged three goals against Bangladesh U20. India U20 qualified for the continental stage main round after 2006, as Uzbekistan U20 registered a 3-0 victory against Syria U20 in the group stage’s last fixture.

The AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 will be held from March 24 to April 10, 2027. The top four teams in the Asian Cup will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup 2027.

Danny Meitei with the first strike against Bangladesh U20

A good start for the Indian side as they took the lead in the first half while attacking the opposition with multiple outlets through the middle and also from the right flank. The Blue Colts scored and broke the deadlock in this must-win game against Bangladesh as Danny Meitei bagged the back of the net in the 25th minute.

Hateem Ali played a key role in the build-up, driving towards the Bangladesh goalpost before delivering the final pass into the D box, as Danny Meitei reacted quickly, got the ball ahead of the goalkeeper and calmly slotted it into the back of the net in the 25th minute. And the goal was also special, as he even nutmegged the opponent’s last line of defence to register the opening goal in the process to give them the lead.

From the first minute of the play, India U20 looked very solid and confident, and they grew in the game through their middle and right spaces, relying on Rishi Meitei, Hateem Ali, Danny Meitei, and Vishal Yadav’s well-organised midfield orientation. In the first 10 minutes of the play, the Blue Colts had the most possession and played the most of the occasion; not only that, but they also created plenty of chances after Hateem Ali missed the first golden opportunity when he was free, but the defenders denied that goal-threatening moment.

Talking about the Bangladesh U20 side, they didn’t settle into the game against Mahesh Gawali’s boys, as they approached it with more physicality and some rough tackles on Indian players. The only positive thing from their gameplay was Adam Ibrahim Abbas, who played an immense game from the left side of the Bengal Tigers and delivered a simply outrageous performance in the first 45 minutes.

Vishal Yadav and MD Arbash’s goals helped to secure the victory

Bangladesh U20 looked very solid and pretty strong in the first 15 minutes of the second half as they clearly dominated possession and focused on retaining the game’s scoreline. But the Blue Colts made a very strong statement with another goal in the 60th minute when a deep throw-in found the head of Rishikanta Meitei, who flicked the ball in the air towards Vishal Yadav, who scored the second goal with an acrobatic finish.

The match also witnessed a fierce moment between two sides in the 66th minute when Bangladesh defender Mithu Choudhary pushed Danny Meitei, which reflected off the ball movement, and the referee immediately showed a yellow card to the Bengal Tigers defender. Bangladesh attempted to mount a comeback after falling two goals behind and began playing with greater aggression. India remained organised at the back, though, absorbing the pressure without allowing their opponents a way back into the match.

Another strike, but this time the substitution made the job done for Mahesh Gawali as MD Arbash scored the third goal for the Blue Army and made an immediate impact after coming on for Danny Meitei, who bagged the first goal. Arriving at the right time and right moment, Arbash unleashed a superb half-volley that flew into the top corner, giving the goalkeeper no room of chance, and the goal extended the lead of India U20

The Blue Colts edged past their neighbouring country in their last group stage game in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, and after the result was finalised between Syria and Uzbekistan, while the hosts clinched the victory, India U20 automatically secured their place in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 as the second best places teams.

India U20 Men: Suraj Singh Aheibam (GK); Yaipharemba Chingakham, Bungson Singh Takhellambam, Sumit Sharma Brahmacharimayum (C), Shami Singamayum (Daniyal Makakmayum 88’), Rishi Singh Ningthoukhongjam, Danny Meitei Laishram (Md Arbash 72’), Malemngamba Singh Thokchom, Vishal Yadav (Prashan Jajo 72’), Rishikanta Meitei Laishram (Aniket Yadav 85’), Hateem Ali (Omang Dodum 85’).

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