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Twenty years on, India are back at the AFC U20 Asian Cup. The Blue Colts sealed qualification for the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bangladesh in their final Group B qualifier at the Dostlik Stadium in Tashkent on Sunday.
Danny Meitei Laishram opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Vishal Yadav doubled Indias advantage with an acrobatic finish on the hour mark. Substitute Md Arbash then sealed the contest with a powerful strike in the 79th minute, according to a release by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The victory took India to six points from their three matches. Their fate, however, now depends on the outcome of the Syria-Uzbekistan encounter later in the evening. Should Syria fail to defeat the hosts, the Blue Colts will finish second in Group B and qualify for the AFC U20 Asian Cup after 20 years as one of the seven best runners-up places across the eight groups. The match began on an even keel, with neither side able to establish control during the opening exchanges. India took the lead in the 25th minute through an excellent piece of coordinated pressing and attacking play. Danny put Md Abdul Riyad Fahim under pressure and forced the Bangladesh defender into conceding possession cheaply to Hateem Ali. The India striker displayed excellent awareness as he took on two defenders before laying the ball off for the unmarked Danny inside the penalty area. Danny kept his composure and applied the finish to put India ahead in the crucial contest. The goal lifted the Blue Colts, who began dictating the tempo, retaining possession and patiently probing for a second. Danny nearly doubled the advantage in the 34th minute when his looping free-kick dipped dangerously towards goal, but Bangladesh goalkeeper Raj Chowdhury remained alert and made the save. India resumed after the interval in the same manner in which they had ended the first half, keeping Bangladesh under pressure and searching for another goal. The second arrived in the 60th minute. A long throw into the penalty area was flicked on by Rishikanta towards Vishal, who produced an acrobatic finish to beat Chowdhury and stun the Bangladesh defence. Bangladesh attempted to mount a comeback after falling two goals behind and began playing with greater aggression. India remained organised at the back, though, absorbing the pressure without allowing their opponents a way back into the match. India head coach Mahesh Gawali introduced Md Arbash and Prashan Jajo in the 72nd minute, replacing Danny and Vishal. The change soon paid off as Arbash put the result beyond doubt seven minutes later, the release said. Yaipharemba Chingakham initiated the move before India exchanged a series of passes to unlock the Bangladesh defence. Arbash completed the attack with a powerful left-footed strike into the roof of the net, making it 3-0. Gawali made three further changes during the closing stages, introducing Aniket Yadav, Omang Dodum and Daniyal Makakmayum as India comfortably saw out the remainder of the match. Having completed their own task in emphatic fashion, the Blue Colts must now wait for the result of the later fixture between Syria and Uzbekistan to discover whether they will finish second and end Indias 20-year absence from the AFC U20 Asian Cup. (ANI)
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