'This is dominance': Fans left elated as India U23 claim stunning win over Bahrain in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Preethi has been a Khel Now correspondent for Hyderabad FC since 2024.

Published at :September 4, 2025 at 12:35 AM

Modified at :September 5, 2025 at 1:30 AM

'This is dominance': Fans left elated as India U23 claim stunning win over Bahrain in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

Goals from Muhammed Suhail and Shivaldo gave India a comprehensive win.

The Indian U23 football team began their AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign on a winning note, defeating the Bahrain U23 team with a 2-0 scoreline at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

Bahrain’s Mahmood Abdulla missed an open chance early in the game. Muhammed Suhail Bhatt produced a dazzling solo dribble and finish to give India the lead. Bahrain came on strong after the half-time break, piling up on the pressure and briefly scoring an equaliser that was ruled out for offside.

After creating multiple chances, Finally during the stoppage time, Shivaldo Singh Chingangbam sealed the victory, scoring a goal from close range to give the Blue Colts the 3 points as well as the perfect start to their AFC U23 qualification journey.

Also Read: India kick off AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a stellar win over Bahrain

Fans react to India’s stellar win

Here is how the Indian football community reacted to the victorious start in the AFC U23 qualifiers journey

Never before have we seen our Indian Football team stamp such authority on the field! 🇮🇳💙 This is belief, this is dominance, this is the future of our football! 🔥#IndianFootball #INDBHR #AFCU23
— GAURESH MAHADIK (@Gaureshsm53) September 3, 2025

India 2-0 BahrainMallu Ballers of India U-23 cooked Bahrain today. Scoreline of 2-0 is too less tbhComing back to qualifiers we need to stop conceding silly fouls and need to finish chances against Qatar.#indianfootball #AFCU23Qualifiers
— Ashwin (@ash647) September 3, 2025

Beautiful gameplay by the U23s today against Bahrain in the qualifiers. The players looked so confident and technically sound. Credits to Naushad Moosa and his team. Lets go again against Qatar with the same mentality 🇮🇳💙@IndianFootball #IndianFootball #AFCU23
— Nameeth Bhat (@NameethBhat98) September 3, 2025

🇮🇳 Khalid Jamil @ TAJIKISTAN🇮🇳 Nousad Moosa @ Qatar Both #Indian coaches doing their best as of now !!!WITHOUT GIVING EXCUSES ✅Something which was missing under some UNEMPLOYED foreign coaches (back in their home)
— $um@nn.. (@Suman01official) September 3, 2025

This India U23 team showed how football should be played. They went out to win, not to survive like our senior team. Attacked well, kept ball, solid in defense; awareness, movement, positioning, structure were top level. Credit to the coach Naushad Moosa.#IndianFootball
— Rakesh Dash (@rakeshdash_) September 3, 2025

We have never seen the Indian team dominating like this against a higher ranked team,Absolutely credit goes to naushad moosa and boys,well done👏
— ᴅᴇʙᴀsɪsʜ (@Debasis55249601) September 3, 2025

Today I think i witnessed one of our best performance at u23 level against a strong side.everything was nearly perfect be it first touch,passing,crossing,pressing, fighting spirit.we should try to integrate these boys into our senior team in the next 2 yrs slowly.i have high hope
— ambarish (@ambarishofcfan) September 3, 2025

Beautiful game man I loved this team, the passes are so good and the finishing man loved it and also coach did great job and players delivered that job very nicely
— Clark (@ClarkBoltsman) September 3, 2025

This is soo satisfying to see Indian's finally managing Indian Football Men's Team. Quite an impressive improvement in the recent games. Much more matches to play. Khalid Jamil & Naushad Moosa, you have all our support. 💪🔥Jai Hind 🇮🇳#IndianFootball #CAFANationsCup #AFCU23 pic.twitter.com/zIn8yfG5RN
— Kevin (@kevbmat) September 3, 2025

Fantastic work by our Boys despite all the odds u23 squad faced during the lead up to the qualifiers. No pre-season but still our boys rose to the occasion and delivered a great performance. Next game with Qatar we look forward 🇮🇳🇮🇳🔥🔥#IndianFootball https://t.co/H8AiEF8tzn
— Digvijay Singh (@beingdigvj) September 3, 2025

A good win against Bahrain to start the AFC U23 Asian Cup qualification competition on a very positive note. Suhail goal would be remembered for his individual brilliance, top quality finish and the potential Suhail demonstrated.#INDBAH #IndianFootball #AFCU23Qualifiers
— Shaji Prabhakaran (@Shaji4Football) September 3, 2025

These boys are guns, i couldn't believe what i just saww, that energy, pace, enthusiasm, skillset, bring them to Senior national team asap, these lads play REAL FOOTBALL, overall dominance shown Congratulations🎉👏This team could pull crowd to watch indian football..!
— heyYou (@HeyYou27042k2) September 3, 2025

Indian team are doing better in all sections from womens football to mens football to club level, only need resumption of isl @kalyanchaubey please do it
— Itz Hritick (@HritickModak) September 3, 2025

a glimmer of hope in Indian football. Well played boys. Good luck
— BEDE 🇮🇳 (@rajinirajadev) September 3, 2025

What was the result of India U23 vs Bahrain U23 in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers?

India U23 defeated Bahrain U23 2-0 in their opening Group H match at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

Who scored for India U23 against Bahrain?

Muhammed Suhail opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, and Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh sealed the win with a 90+4’ strike.

What’s next for India U23 in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers?

India will next face Qatar U23 in their second Group H fixture on September 6, 2025.

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Preethi Raj Kanuganti

Balancing her medical studies with a strong passion for Indian football, Preethi has been a dedicated follower of the sport. Her speciality is covering and discovering stories, talking to players, conducting their interviews, and drafting articles. She particularly covers Hyderabad FC and other stories from the ISL and I-League.