Doha: In a tightly contested match at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Qatar’s under-23 team claimed a 2-1 win over India in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. This victory marks Qatar’s second straight win in Group H, putting them on the brink of qualification for the tournament scheduled in Saudi Arabia .

Qatar now sits at the top of the group with six points, while India and Bahrain trail with three points each. A draw in their upcoming match against Bahrain will be sufficient for Qatar to finish as group winners and secure their place in the finals .

The game was characterized by intense competition from the outset. Qatar took the initiative early, but India responded with dangerous counter-attacks. The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when Hashmi Al Hussain rose highest to meet a corner, directing a header that bounced past the Indian goalkeeper .

India emerged with renewed energy in the second half and leveled the score in the 52nd minute through Muhammad Suhail’s header. However, the turning point came when Indian defender Pramveer Singh was sent off for a second bookable offense, conceding a penalty. Jassem Al Sharshani stepped up and scored from the spot, ensuring Qatar’s victory .

The final group matches will be held on Tuesday, with Qatar facing Bahrain and India taking on Brunei. The group winners and the four best second-placed teams will advance to the finals, joining hosts Saudi Arabia .