India Secure 2-0 Victory over Laos in Final Group Match of AFC U-20 Asian Cup Qualifiers

India secured a 2-0 victory against Laos in their last Group G match of the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The Blue Colts struggled to convert their scoring opportunities in the first half but eventually broke the deadlock in the second half with goals from Gwgwmsar Goyary in the 69th minute and Thanglalsoun Gangte in the 84th minute. With this win, India finished second in the group with six points from three games, trailing behind Iran who topped the group with 9 points. The team's fate now hangs in the balance as they await to see if they have done enough to qualify for the final rounds of the competition. The top teams from each group, along with the five best second-place finishers, will earn a spot in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 in China. India ended their qualifying campaign with a goal difference of 4.

India spent most of the first 45 minutes lurking around the Laos area to find a goal but had to troop back to the dressing room without success.

While the home side rode their luck to keep the scoresheet clean, India missed a host of opportunities. The Blue Colts could have taken the lead in the first half itself, but they failed to avail the chances that came their way.

Kelvin Singh Taorem surprised everyone around when he couldn't find the target despite having the Laos goalkeeper at his mercy.

Kop Lokpathib, the Laos custodian, by far the busiest person on the pitch, looked more relieved than anyone around when Goyary ballooned over the bar from just outside the six-yard area.

There was no change in the pattern in the second session, except that Laos took advantage of India's frustration.

As India U20 side increased men in attack in search of goal, Laos seized the opportunity to go for the counter-attacks.

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Twice the Indian goal were under attack but Sahil was alert under the bar on both occasions.

Barring these stray attacks from Laos, their goal was under constant siege by the Indian strikers.

At least three chances were missed by the Indians in quick succession before their relentless pursuit for a goal bore fruit in the 69th minute.

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A long ball from Manglenthang Kipgen found Goyary inside the box, who beat the goalkeeper with a grounder.

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In the 84th minute, substitute Thanglalsoun Gangte fired in the second goal from inside the box.