India U23 Dominates Brunei 6-0 in AFC Qualifiers

Doha, Sep 10 (PTI) The India Under-23 men's football team bowed out of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers despite a commanding 6-0 victory over Brunei Darussalam at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in their concluding group match.

The Blue Colts amassed six points from their three encounters, leaving them at the mercy of the outcome of the other Group H duel between Qatar and Bahrain at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.

Qatar emerged triumphant in that match, overturning an early deficit to clinch a 2-1 victory with two injury-time goals, thus securing the top position in the group with a flawless record of nine points. India secured the second spot with their six points.

Despite the possibility for the four best second-placed teams from 11 groups to advance, India narrowly missed out, ranking fifth among the group runners-up.

The match against Brunei saw a stellar performance from midfielder Vibin Mohanan, who netted a hat-trick with goals in the 5th, 7th, and 62nd minutes. Mohammed Aimen added two goals in the 87th and 90+7th minutes, while Ayush Chhetri scored in the 41st minute.

India exploded into action from the kickoff, with Muhammed Suhail darting into the box to assist Vibin, who skillfully finished the move to put India ahead in the fifth minute.

Vibin quickly doubled the lead with a bizarre aerial through ball intended for a teammate that unexpectedly looped over the Brunei goalkeeper and into the net.

The Blue Colts relentlessly pressured the Brunei defense but faced missed opportunities or staunch defending.

Coach Moosa opted to bolster the attack by bringing on center forward Parthib Gogoi in the 32nd minute.

Ayush then added the third goal with a clever finish following a slick one-two with Sreekuttan MS inside the box.

India resumed their dominant stance in the second half and eventually found the net once more as Vibin curled a precise free-kick through the wall to complete his hat-trick.

Substitutes Sahil Harijan, Aimen, and Soham Varshneya were introduced to enhance the attacking prowess.

Although India created further openings, they struggled with finishing.

Harijan came close on multiple occasions, once being denied by a tackle from Brunei defender Irfan Abdullah and again missing a cross from Vibin by mere inches of an open goal.

Aimen made several attempts at the goal, striking the crossbar in the 83rd minute and nearly setting up Harijan for a goal that was disallowed for offside.

In the match's final moments, Aimen scored two impressive long-range goals to seal the 6-0 victory for the Blue Colts.

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