After beginning its AFC Under-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a solid 2-0 win over Bahrain, the Indian men’s U-23 team will now face host Qatar in its second Group H match on Saturday at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.
The match will begin at 10:30 pm IST.
The Blue Colts are aiming to create history by qualifying for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup for the first time ever. With the group winners assured of a direct ticket to Saudi Arabia 2026 and only four best second-placed sides across all 11 groups joining them, Thursday’s clash against Qatar could prove pivotal in shaping India’s qualification hopes.
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“It’s always a good thing to start with a win and get those three points,” said India head coach Naushad Moosa after the win over Bahrain. “That win gave us a lot of hope and belief that if we do well against Qatar, we’ll have the chance to qualify. It’s very important we go forward with a winning mentality.”
Qatar began its campaign with a thumping 13-0 victory over Brunei Darussalam, showcasing its attacking prowess. Moosa acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “Qatar is probably one of the best teams in Asia that we could face. It’s playing style is totally different from Bahrain’s. It relies on short passes, quick switches, and a lot of wing play. We need to focus on stopping those movements from the sides.”
Looking at the bigger picture, Moosa underlined the importance of the campaign for the squad’s development. “This campaign is very important for us. If we win, we stand a good chance of advancing. That would mean more camps, more friendlies, and better preparation for not just the AFC U-23 Asian Cup but also future competitions like the 2026 Asian Games. Continuity is the key.”
Published on Sep 06, 2025
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com