As the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers come to a close, all eyes were on the fierce competition in Group G, where India sought to make its mark on the continental stage. The group promised some exciting matchups, with India’s youth talent on display. With some raw talents and national pride, the Indian team entered the Qualifiers prepared to face regional heavyweights. Their hopes were dashed by a late goal in the defeat to Iran, sealing their fate and denying them qualification for the tournament, even as runners-up of the group.
India’s fine start against Mongolia with Kipgen brace
The U20 side kicked off their qualifiers campaign strongly with a thumping victory over Mongolia in Laos under the guidance of head coach Ranjan Chaudhuri which gave them the all-important confidence and motivation required at the start. The match saw an early goal from the Men in Blue in the 20th minute as young forward, Kelvin Singh Taorem scored a banger of a goal right from the corner, leaving the opponents stunned as they witnessed an exquisite Olympic goal.
This goal forced Mongolia to shift to a defensive line of play in the following moments which also led to the team shrinking down to ten men, following a rash foul in the 29th minute of the game. Later, Mongolia equalized just before the close of the first half. Manglenthang Kipgen was the true game-changer as he scored twice in the 2nd half, all within a span of 6 minutes. Forward Korou Singh completed the 4-1 victory with his late goal in the 86th minute.
Ten-men Mongolia did succeed in posing a threat to India in the first half but the enthusiasm and aggression of India helped them acquire a fair goal difference and 3 points in the table.
Yousef Mazraeh’s late goal for Iran breaks India’s heart
The U-20s stumbled in front of Iran. This game was highly competitive as both sides refused to concede throughout the match. India, who comparatively had a slight upper hand in the game unfortunately conceded in the late 87th minute as Iran’s Yousef Mazraeh converted the goal without any fault.
The stars of the previous match, Kelvin Singh Taorem and Manglenthang Kipgen carried on with their top form in this match too but it wasn’t that easy for them to surpass the Iranian defense. However, Ranjan Chaudhuri’s boys failed to keep Iran silent anymore as that late goal cost an all-important three points. After this match, Iran was placed at the top of Group G followed by India in second place.
India defeat hosts Laos to keep hopes alive
The Blue Colts desperately needed the victory in this match as they locked horns with the host nation, Laos in their third and final match of the qualifiers group stage which will decide their future. Before the beginning of this match, India was still placed second in the group behind Iran. The leading team from each qualification group, along with the five best second-placed teams across the 10 groups, would secure a spot in the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2025.
It was pure domination of India from the very first minute of the game as we saw comparatively a terrible performance from the host nation Laos, struggling even to make a successful pass to a teammate. We rarely saw Laos initiating a successful attacking opportunity inside the opponent’s half.
On the other hand, the ball literally belonged to India throughout the first half. Still, the proper finishing ability from our young talents was a major missing in the initial half, or else the scoreboard should have been spectacular to watch.
At a point in the second half, India was desperately trying to land some long shots as the tension mounted, the team kept missing easy scoring opportunities again and again but unfortunately, every single one was off target. Finally, it was in the 69th minute when all the hard work paid off as forward, Gwgwmsar Goyary found the back of the net followed by Thanglalsoun Gangte bagging the 2nd goal of the evening in the 84th minute, giving India a 2-0 victory against host nation Laos.
India not in top five of the second-placed teams
The top five teams from each group and the top five teams from the second-place round advanced to the finals. After defeating Laos, India appeared to be amongst the top five second-place finishers but the goal difference turned around the fate of the boys. Syria, Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Korea DPR, Indonesia, IR Iran, Iraq, Japan, and Qatar qualified as the winners of their respective groups, while Yemen, Kyrgyz Republic, Australia, Thailand, and Jordan qualified as the five best second-placed teams.
India where tied on points with Jordan and Thailand, but the latter two progressed courtesy to their superior goal difference to India.
At the Lao National Stadium, hundreds of Laotian supporters greeted the Blue Colts as they left the stadium. A standing ovation was given by the fans, who demonstrated real sportsmanship by swapping autographs and snapping numerous pictures together. This campaign was definitely one for the young lads to remember forever.
Best Players of the Campaign
Manglenthang Kipgen and Kelvin Singh Taorem were the two interesting finds of this campaign. Whenever the team struggled to create a proper output or whenever the team was down, they always stepped up for the team with great energy, passion, and aggression and were also the craftsmen in the Blue Colts’ victories and second spot finish in Group G after IR Iran.
Throughout the entire campaign, they illustrated their versatility and competence during every minute and were a constant threat to the opposing team all along. The duo emerged as the Blue Tigers’ essential offensive connection throughout the season with their speed, skills, and technical abilities. Kelvin also has a beautiful Olympic Goal to his name in this campaign when he scored it against Mongolia in their first group-stage match.
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