Qatar Secures U-23 Asian Cup Qualifying Win Over India

Qatar moved one step closer to qualifying for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia after securing a 2-1 victory against India in their Group H match on March 17, 2024. The match took place at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, marking Qatar’s second consecutive win in the qualifiers.

In their previous match, Qatar had overwhelmed Brunei with a staggering 13-0 scoreline. The latest win against India solidified their position at the top of Group H with six points and a remarkable goal difference of +14.

Match Highlights and Key Players

The match began with India showing promise, pushing forward and testing the Qatari defense with swift passing. Despite their early pressure, it was Qatar that broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Hashmi Al Hussain rose above the Indian defenders to expertly head the ball past goalkeeper Sahil Poonia, putting the hosts ahead.

India responded with renewed vigor after halftime and equalized in the 52nd minute. Muhammad Suhail found the back of the net with a well-placed header from a cross by Mohammed Sanan, leveling the score at 1-1. However, India’s hopes were short-lived.

Just 13 minutes later, Pramveer Singh was shown a red card after receiving a second yellow for fouling Noureldin Ibrahim inside the penalty area. Qatar capitalized on this advantage, with Jassem Al Sharshani converting the penalty to regain the lead, marking his second goal in as many matches.

Looking Ahead

With the scoreline secured, Qatar effectively managed the remaining minutes of the match to maintain their perfect record in the qualifiers. They are now in a strong position to advance, as the top team in the group and one of the four best runners-up will qualify for the final tournament.

As they prepare for their final Group H fixture against Bahrain on March 21, 2024, Qatar aims to extend their winning streak. Bahrain recently defeated Brunei with a commanding score of 10-0, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.