India’s U20 men’s football team have completed a remarkable journey to the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027, ending a 20-year wait for a place in the continental tournament. The Blue Colts entered the qualifiers determined to make amends after narrowly missing out on the 2025 edition on goal difference.

The preparations began months before the qualifiers, with more than 100 players assessed during trials in Bengaluru. Under head coach Mahesh Gawali, India also went unbeaten in four international friendlies, defeating Singapore twice and Yemen once while keeping four consecutive clean sheets.

Drawn alongside hosts Uzbekistan, Syria and Bangladesh in Group B, India made an excellent start in Tashkent. Shami Singamayum scored an 86th-minute winner against Syria to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory — India’s first competitive win over Syria at U19/U20 level.

The journey then suffered a major setback as India were beaten 4-0 by Uzbekistan. Despite the heavy defeat, they remained second in the group and kept their qualification hopes alive. Everything came down to the final game against Bangladesh.

India responded in emphatic fashion. Danny Meitei Laishram, Vishal Yadav and substitute Md Arbash scored in a 3-0 victory, taking India to six points. They then had to wait for Uzbekistan’s result against Syria. When Uzbekistan won 3-0, India finished second and qualified as one of the seven best runners-up across the qualifying groups.

The achievement marks India’s return to the AFC U20 Asian Cup for the first time since 2006. For Gawali and a squad whose players were not even born the last time India appeared at the tournament, the qualification represents a significant milestone for Indian youth football.