To seal passage to their maiden U23 Asian Cup, India needed the UAE to beat the Islamic Republic of Iran by four or more goals in Group I. However, the contest finished in Iran’s favour.
Only the group winners and the four best second-placed teams from the 11 groups will qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, scheduled between January 7 and 25 in Saudi Arabia.
India were off the blocks quickly. Muhammed Suhail darted into the box and teed up Vibin, who shrugged off a challenge to score from close range.
Moments later, his attempted through ball looped over the stranded Brunei goalkeeper to double the advantage.
Coach Naushad Moosa introduced Parthib Gogoi midway through the first half to add more bite and India were rewarded before the break. Ayush combined cleverly with Sreekuttan MS to slice open the defence and make it 3-0.
After sustained pressure early in the second half, Vibin completed his treble with a precise free-kick bent through the Brunei wall. Substitutes Sahil Harijan, Aimen and Soham Varshneya kept the tempo high, with Harijan twice coming agonisingly close.
Aimen, however, ensured the Blue Colts finished on a flourish, hammering in two long-range strikes in the closing minutes to seal a statement win.