India U17 Kicks Off Qualifiers with 4-2 Victory Against Singapore

The India U17 men's football team kicked off their AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Singapore. Despite the win, head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo emphasized the need for improvement in various aspects of their game. The team is set to face Guam next, aiming to build on their momentum. With a focus on both their strengths and tactical execution, India is determined to secure their place in the upcoming tournament. Read on to discover more about their performance and future matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 13, 2026, 20:48 IST

India U17 Begins AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers on a High Note

Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], November 13: The India U17 men's football team commenced their journey in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027 Qualifiers with an impressive 4-2 win over Singapore. Despite the victory, the Blue Colts recognize that significant improvements are necessary as they aim for a spot in next year's tournament.

Head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo emphasized the need for continuous improvement, stating, "There are always areas to improve, even after a good result." With one match completed, the team has three more to play, starting with Guam on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium. This match will be the inaugural encounter between the two teams at the U17 level.

While India had a rest day on Matchday 1, Guam has already faced two defeats in the qualifiers, losing 0-6 to Singapore and 0-5 to Palestine. Although the win against Singapore was a positive start for India, it was not without challenges. After a slow beginning, India fell behind but managed to recover, only to be equalized again.

In a thrilling finish, Wadoo's team scored twice in the last seven minutes, with Dallalmuon Gangte achieving a remarkable hat-trick, followed by Ristik Maity's goal in the 89th minute, marking his first goal for India. Wadoo praised Gangte's performance, stating, "I am very happy for Gangte. Scoring a hat-trick at the international level is a special achievement, and he deserves credit for his performance. I hope he continues to work hard, stays humble, and keeps improving."

Wadoo expressed satisfaction with the team's offensive display but acknowledged the need for improvement in other areas. He stated, "I would like to see more consistency in our defensive organization and better concentration throughout the 90 minutes. We also need to manage important moments of the game better, especially when we are leading. We need to be more clinical with the chances we create and make better decisions in the final third. At this level, getting the small details right can make a big difference."

Regarding their upcoming match against Guam, Wadoo remarked, "We respect Guam as an opponent and are preparing for them with the same seriousness as we did for Singapore. At this level, every match presents its own challenges, and we cannot afford to underestimate any opponent." He added that preparation for the next game involves focusing on their strengths and executing tactical plans effectively.

With three points already secured, India aims to carry their momentum into the match against Guam, followed by fixtures against Palestine on November 17 and Malaysia on November 20 in their remaining Group E matches.