India have secured qualification for the AFC Under-20 Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years after a convincing 3-0 win over Bangladesh, and later were helped by Uzbekistan's victory over Syria at the Do'stlik Stadium in Tashkent on Sunday.
India took control of the contest against Bangladesh in the 25th minute when Danny Meitei Laishram opened the scoring. Vishal Yadav then doubled India's lead on the hour mark with an acrobatic finish.
Substitute Md Arbash then put the result beyond doubt in the 79th minute, sealing a comfortable victory for India with a powerful strike
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The win took India to six points from three matches, securing second place in the final Group B standings. Uzbekistan topped the group with nine points after defeating Syria.
Syria finished third with three points, while Bangladesh ended the campaign at the bottom of the table and were relegated to the Development Phase after losing all three of their matches.
India's qualification was confirmed as they finished among the seven best runners-up across all eight groups.
The qualification ends a long wait for Indian football at the tournament. India's last appearance in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup came in 2006, when the team was eliminated in the group stage.
Now, 20 years later, India have earned their place back on the continental stage.
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