India Eye AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualification Against Brunei Darussalam: 'Just Keep Scoring'

Last Updated:September 09, 2025, 15:47 IST

India face Brunei Darussalam aiming for AFC U23 Asian Cup qualification. Naushad Moosa urged focus on goal difference after Qatar match. Victory could secure historic progress.

India U-23 men's football team head coach Naushad Moosa (AIFF)

After a spirited performance in their narrow defeat to hosts Qatar, the Indian U23 men’s team will have one final opportunity to qualify for their first-ever AFC U23 Asian Cup.

They will face Brunei Darussalam in their final Group H fixture on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, at 20:45 IST.

How India Can Qualify For AFC U23 Asian Cup?

With three points from their opening win against Bahrain, India remains in contention for a historic qualification. A victory against Brunei Darussalam will keep the Blue Colts in the race, either as potential group winners or among the four best runners-up across all groups. Goal difference will play a crucial role in the rankings, so the more goals India score, the better their chances.

Head coach Naushad Moosa emphasised the importance of staying sharp against Brunei, who have conceded heavily in their first two matches. “Such games are very challenging. When you know Qatar scored 13 goals, and then Bahrain scored 10, I just want my boys not to relax," he said. “We must have a good goal difference, so we need to be focused. This is what we need right now. Ninety minutes, you just think about the game, and just keep scoring."

Moosa also expressed pride in his team’s fight against Qatar and called for the same determination against Brunei. “It was a great fight by the team, I’m proud of them. We could have had a better result, but we need to keep our heads high and look to the next game. We still have hope to qualify as the second-best team or even as group winners. It’s important that we stay focused."

If India beat Brunei Darussalam and Bahrain beat Qatar (by no more than two goals) in the last Group H match at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Tuesday, India will finish in first place and confirm their qualification due to a better head-to-head goal difference in the matches involving the top three teams.

Should Qatar at least draw versus Bahrain, India cannot finish first and will need to depend on favours from other groups to be among the top four of all the second-placed teams.

Moosa praised the players’ mentality heading into the final group match. “They look charged up, and they know the challenge. They know what is expected from them. The way they played against Qatar, I have no doubts about their intentions. I’m sure they will give their 100 per cent."

With Qatar on top of the table with six points and Bahrain also on three, India’s clash against Brunei Darussalam will be decisive in shaping Group H’s final standings. A commanding performance could yet push the Blue Colts into historic territory.

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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