Three India U23 players who can have impact against Brunei in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

India has to win by a huge margin to boost their qualification chances.

The Indian U23 football team look to scale the last peak in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, as they face Brunei in the final qualifying fixture. The Blue Colts are currently holding on to the second position in Group H after a win and a loss.

For Naushad Moosa to confirm a historic qualification to the AFC U23 Asian Cup, his team has to thrash Brunei. Only the group toppers and the four best second-placed teams will qualify for the main tournament; India is in tenth place among second-placed teams in the qualifiers.

In this article, we will look at those players who can do the job for the Blue Colts against Brunei and seal the spot in the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time.

Also Read: How can India qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup? Check all possible scenarios

Muhammad Suhail

There have been multiple stars in this qualifying campaign, but the one shining the brightest is Muhammad Suhail. The electric winger from Punjab FC has emerged as the most exciting prospect for India going forward. His jaw-dropping pace and skills are a treat to watch, but more important than that is HIS ability to live up to the expectations.

Suhail’s incredible goal against Bahrain in the first match brought all the spotlight on him. The fans’ expectations were skyrocketing, and the nimble trickster lived up to those expectations against Qatar. He scored another goal, this time with a masterpiece of a header to bring India back into the game.

The fans will once again pin their hopes on Suhail to do the job against Brunei. India requires a win by a huge margin to improve their goal difference and stay in contention for a spot in the AFC U23 Asian Cup. It will be interesting to see if the youngster has the mental fortitude to deliver when it is needed the most.

Mohammed Sanan

Suhail’s partner on the other wing, Mohammad Sanan, is one of the players who can shape the result of this match. In the last match against Qatar, it was the duo of Sanan and Suhail who combined to score the goal for India. Sanan’s inch-perfect cross was headed to perfection by Suhail to equalize the game.

The exciting Jamshedpur FC winger is having a great time in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. He is the main source of the goal-scoring threat that India possesses on the left wing. The only thing that is missing for Sanan is that elusive goal.

He came close to scoring against Bahrain in the first match but was declared marginally offside. The match against Brunei is the ideal occasion for Sanan to showcase his goal-scoring potential and prove that he is not just a creator but can bury the chances as well.

Parthib Gogoi

NorthEast United FC’s young sensation has gone under the radar in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Parthib Gogoi has been handed the responsibility to play as No.9 for India by Nausad Moosa. However, that is not his natural position, as he makes the most of his game on the wings.

But now is not the time for the youngster to lament about his new role. He has done well to adapt to the No.9 role, but India will demand more of him. There are no doubts about Parthib’s goal-scoring credentials. He has found the back of the net time and again in the Indian Super League.

The young highlander would be desperate to find opportunities in the next game where he can punish the vulnerable Brunei defense. After being under the pump in the first two matches, the final qualifying fixture will allow him to express himself and make a lethal trio with Suhail and Sanan.

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