India’s 2-0 win over Laos was not enough to help them make it through to the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025. Their qualification hopes ended in heartbreak as they fell short on goal difference, level on points with Thailand and Jordan.

Gwgwmsar Goyary and Thanglalsoun Gangte found the back of the net for the Blue Colts to help them do their part. But, results elsewhere prevented them from qualifying as one of the best second placed teams in the tournament.

India fall short in AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers

And we paid the price of wasting countless chances against Laos.

India U20 team failed to qualify for U20 Asian cup. We got a decent group probably for the first time and still we couldn't make it count 🤦 pic.twitter.com/o7xcx4y4Fa
— Sayan (@Tweets_by_Sayan) September 29, 2024

India head coach Ranjan Chaudhuri rued the missed chances. “The boys played so well, I am proud of them. But sometimes, things just don’t go your way,” he said. “We created so many chances that we could have scored six-seven goals against both Laos and Mongolia. Eventually, we were punished for not converting them. That’s where we need to improve.”

Despite the missed opportunities, this is one of the best qualification campaigns for the Blues in recent memory. It is also a cause to be optimistic for the future given the improvements that can be seen at the youth level.

India’s second placed finish in Group G this time around could be a stepping stone to a top finish in the coming years.