India U-17s Keep Qualification Hopes Alive with First Win; Gangte Delivers Sublime Hat-Trick
Ahmedabad:A captain’s performance from Dallalmuon Gangte led the India U-17 team to a crucial 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in their AFC Under-17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers Group D clash at the EKA Arena yesterday. Gangte was the undisputed star, netting a sublime hat-trick to secure the win.
The result marks India’s first victory of the campaign, following a 1-1 draw against Palestine last Saturday, and significantly boosts their qualification hopes. The win lifts India to second place in Group D with four points, putting them level with leader IR Iran, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Lebanon earlier in the day. India currently trails Iran on goal difference.
For Chinese Taipei, the defeat confirmed their elimination from the qualifiers, as they remain at the bottom of the group with just one point from three matches. India’s final group game is scheduled for tomorrow against Lebanon.
