India’s Under-23 football team produced a resounding 6-0 win over Brunei on Tuesday in their final AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifying group match, significantly improving their goal difference. However, the Blue Colts’ passage to the final tournament remains uncertain, pending the outcome of other key group-stage fixtures.
Vibin Mohanan was the star of the show, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to lead India’s charge in what was a must-win encounter. Mohammed Aimen contributed with a brace, and Ayush Chhetri added another to complete the rout in a dominant performance.
The win gives India six points in Group H and a much-improved goal difference, positioning them strongly, but not conclusively, for qualification. With their job done on the pitch, Naushad Moosa’s team must now wait and hope that results elsewhere align in their favour.
India’s clearest path to qualification hinges on the outcome of the other Group H clash between Qatar and Bahrain. If Bahrain defeats Qatar, but by no more than two goals, India would top the group based on a superior head-to-head goal difference in the mini-table involving the top three teams.
However, if Qatar and Bahrain play out a draw, India’s fate will rest on results from other groups. In such a scenario, the Blue Colts will be in contention to qualify as one of the four best second-placed teams across all groups.
Currently, India sits fifth among those second-placed teams. Turkmenistan, also on six points but trailing Jordan during their ongoing match, could slip below India if that result holds. Above India is Iran, who have six points and a better goal difference. They are yet to play their final group game against UAE.
For India to sneak into the top four second-placed teams, two things must happen: Jordan must defeat Turkmenistan, and UAE must beat Iran by a margin of at least four goals. While both results are possible, they are far from guaranteed, keeping India’s hopes in a fragile balance.
Head coach Naushad Moosa and his team now face a nervous wait. Their commanding victory over Brunei showcased the team’s attacking strength and desire, but whether that will be enough to secure a spot in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup finals remains to be seen.
For now, the Blue Colts have done all they can and now, they watch and wait.
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