Ticket To Saudi! Indian Colts Secure AFC U17 Asia Cup 2026 Berth With Dramatic Win Over Iran

Last Updated:November 30, 2025, 23:19 IST

Amireza Valipoor gave Iran the lead before the boys in blue clawed back through strikes from Dallalmuon Gangte and Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam.

India secure AFC U17 Asia Cup qualification. (X)

The Indian Colts came up clutch against Iran on Sunday to qualify for the AFC U17 Asia Cup 2026, slated to be held in Saudi Arabia, in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 win against the powerhouse in their last Group D match at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad.

Amireza Valipoor gave Iran the lead before the boys in blue clawed back through strikes from Dallalmuon Gangte and Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam.

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Iran, with seven points, entered the match as favourites, unbeaten and needing only a draw to progress. India, on four points, needed nothing less than a win. The victory meant that India climbed to seven points, level with Iran but ahead on head-to-head and enough to secure qualification against a powerhouse of Asian youth football.

Valipoor put the visitors ahead in the 19th minute of the game, but the young colts fought back with valour as Gangte’s leveller at the stroke of half time revitalised the home team. A buoyed India came out all guns blazing in the second essay of the game and were rewarded with a goal just sevn miuntes after the resumption of play through Wangkheirakpam.

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The win secured qualification for the age-category tournament slated to be held in the middle-east and serves as a shot in the arm to the Indian football ecosystem which has been going through a tumultuous time.

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