India’s under-20 football team made a strong statement in their opening match of the AFC Under 20 Asian Cup qualifiers, defeating Mongolia 4-1 in Vientiane, Laos. The victory secured India’s first three points in Group G, which also includes host Laos and the formidable Iran.
India’s dominance was evident from the start, with Kelvin Singh’s spectacular Olympico goal in the 20th minute giving them an early lead. Mongolia managed to equalize later in the first half, but the Indian team bounced back with a vengeance after the break.
Manglenthang Kipgen proved to be the difference-maker, scoring two goals within the space of three minutes, effectively putting the game out of reach for Mongolia. Korou Singh Thingujam added a fourth goal in the 86th minute, ensuring a comfortable win for India.
This convincing victory sets the stage for India’s next match, a crucial encounter against Iran on Friday. The top-ranked team in Group G will automatically qualify for the AFC Under 20 Asian Cup finals in China next year, while the five highest-ranked second-placed teams will also progress.
With this strong start, India’s hopes of making it to the finals in China are looking brighter than ever. The team’s performance against Mongolia demonstrates their potential and the exciting journey ahead in the AFC Under 20 Asian Cup qualifiers.
