Can India Make History in AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualification Against Bahrain?

Doha, Sep 2 (NationPress) The Indian men's U23 team is set to face Bahrain in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Group H opener on Wednesday, September 3, at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

The Blue Colts, under the guidance of head coach Naushad Moosa, are determined to qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the very first time. In their six previous attempts, India has not progressed beyond the Qualifiers, so Moosa and his squad are aiming to make history in the Qatari capital.

The other teams in Group H include the hosts Qatar and Brunei Darussalam. The group winners and the four best runners-up across all eleven groups will secure a spot in the final tournament, slated for January 2026, in Saudi Arabia.

During the pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Moosa stated, “I don’t consider any team to be 'big'. It’s essential to show respect to every opponent. Regarding Bahrain, we have analyzed two or three of their matches to prepare. We recognize that Qatar is a formidable side. They play tomorrow, so I’ll gather some insights from that game.”

The Blue Colts conducted two separate training camps in preparation for the Qualifiers. In June, they played two friendly matches against Tajikistan (which ended in a 2-3 defeat) and the Kyrgyz Republic (which ended in a 0-0 draw) in Tajikistan. They also held a 20-day camp at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru in August. In the last week of August, the India U23s traveled to Malaysia to engage in two closed-door friendly matches against Iraq, where they suffered defeats of 1-2 and 1-3, respectively.

“All four friendlies were challenging. However, I was pleased with the team’s performance. We are well-prepared—both mentally and physically—and I’m genuinely looking forward to it. We are ready for the opening game against Bahrain,” Moosa expressed.

“Bahrain is a strong team. I was quite impressed with their attacking and defensive strategies, as well as their intensity. I have great respect for them. It will undoubtedly be a competitive match, and it won't be easy for Bahrain,” he added.

Bahrain's head coach Ali Abdulmajed remarked, “India has a solid team with talented players. We’ve studied their recent performances and identified their strengths. It will be a balanced match. If we can counter India’s strengths, we may gain the upper hand. However, if India manages to dictate the game, it will be challenging for us.”

Following the friendlies in Malaysia, the Blue Colts headed directly to Qatar, arriving in Doha on Saturday, just four days before the opening match. With temperatures soaring to 43 degrees during the day, Moosa noted that the team is gradually acclimatizing to the different weather conditions.

“It's hot and humid, indeed, but over the past few days, we’ve been trying to adjust as quickly as possible. The players are putting in tremendous effort. We are training in the mornings to adapt to the conditions. The facilities are excellent, and we’re eager to compete,” he stated.

“These matches are crucial. U23 tournaments significantly contribute to the players’ development as they gain valuable experience. We need more tournaments like this to facilitate better player progression to the senior level,” Moosa emphasized.

Captain and center-back Bikash Yumnam, who joined the coach at the press conference, stated, “The first match is vital for building confidence and securing points. We’ve been preparing for the past three weeks, and now the boys are ready for the Qualifiers. Each day, we give our all, and we’re genuinely excited to make an impact here.”