Bahrain started the second-half on the front foot in search of the equaliser but India looked resolute in defence and had chances to extend their lead.
India got a massive reprieve in the 73rd minute when Bahrain’s Almoosawi controlled a cross-field ball and hit it into the bottom corner. However, the referee had his offside flag raised as India received a lifeline.
Bahrain’s goalkeeper, meanwhile, had kept his team in the game by making several crucial saves but he couldn’t prevent a hammer blow in injury time when India’s substitutes Sreekuttan MS and Shivaldo Chingangbam combined to put the game to bed.
Having looked lively for the Blue Colts since coming off the bench, the duo broke with pace before Sreekuttan MS produced a brilliant ball to find Shivaldo Chingangbam, who slotted home from point-blank range to give India the win.
The group winners and the four best second-placed teams from the 11 groups will qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026.
Saudi Arabia have already qualified for the tournament as the host nation. A total of 44 teams, divided into 11 groups of four each, are competing for the remaining 15 spots during the Qualifiers.
India will face hosts Qatar in their second Group H match on Saturday.