India lose 2-1 to Qatar in U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers

The Indian U23 football team went down 2-1 to hosts Qatar in their second Group H match of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha on Saturday.

Qatar went ahead in the 18th minute when Al Hashmi Mohialdin scored with a looping header from a corner.India equalised early in the second half through Muhammed Suhail, who headed in a cross from Mohammed Sannan in the 52nd minute.Their joy was short-lived as defender Pramveer conceded a penalty for a foul on Noureldin Ibrahim in the 67th minute, receiving a second yellow card and being sent off.Jassem Al Sharshani converted from the spot to secure the win for Qatar.

India pushed for a late equaliser, with Mohammed Aimen’s corner narrowly missing Shivaldo in stoppage time, but they could not find the goal.The result leaves Qatar top of Group H with six points from two matches, while India remain on three points alongside Bahrain but ahead on head-to-head.Brunei Darussalam are the other team in the group.

India, coached by Naushad Moosa, had defeated Bahrain in their opening match and will face Brunei Darussalam in their final group game on Tuesday.Only the group winners and the four best second-placed teams across 11 groups will qualify for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 in Saudi Arabia.