According to the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) official website, Palestine successfully concluded their AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers campaign with a 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei, despite being reduced to 10 men. Palestine won their first match of the competition with two goals from Yazan Khalifah in the 33rd minute, Adam Kafafi in the 75th, and Mohammed Jamhour in the 88th.
In the 52nd minute, Ou Yang-qi found the net to give Chinese Taipei a response. Following Ahmed Hamadna’s second yellow card, Palestine resorted to playing the final part of the game with ten players. With five points, the victory put the West Asians in fourth position in Group D, while Chinese Taipei finished bottom with just one point.
According to the official website of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), India secured qualification for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 by coming back from behind to defeat IR Iran 2-1 in their final Group D match at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad later that day. This was their tenth appearance in the tournament’s history. Iran was favored going into the game because they had seven points, were undefeated, and only needed a draw to advance. India needed to win badly because they were on four points. The challenge seemed even more daunting when Amirreza Valipoor scored in the 19th minute, calmly finishing after a defensive blunder.
However, this young Indian team refused to accept their destiny. Before Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam scored the game-winning goal in the 52nd minute, they first tied the score through a penalty kick from Dallalmuon Gangte in the 45+1 minute. With the win, India moved up to seven points, which was enough to qualify against a major Asian youth football powerhouse and put them equal with Iran but ahead on head-to-head. Iran owned the early story. They applied pressure, moved the ball with ease, and made two vital saves against India’s goalkeeper, Rajrup Sarkar.
In the tenth minute, Sarkar tipped away a long-range attempt from captain Mahan Beheshti, and a few minutes later, after Jafar Asadi had cut through on the left, he punched out a fierce volley from the same player. Iran appeared calm, in control, and merciless. Despite Iran’s territorial dominance, India persisted and never let fear set in. They attempted to disrupt Iran’s structure by moving the ball swiftly into the wide channels and tested the waters with speculative long-range shots. Iran’s disciplined defensive line appeared to be impenetrable. The moment that altered everything then arrived. Chaos broke out inside the Iranian box at the stroke of halftime after a left corner.
Heeranganba Seram was dragged down as bodies collided and the ball pinged around in a dangerous way. The referee indicated the exact location. In the 46th minute, Dallalmuon Gangte, unflappable under pressure, stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. Their lifeline, along with their belief, was India. India was revitalized and started the second half with new determination. And an Iranian error in the 52nd minute led to the winner. Gunleiba Wangkheirakpam, unmarked and unhurried, capitalized with a powerful finish beyond goalkeeper Bardiya Dorri after defender Amirmahan Afrooziani failed to clear a looping ball. India unexpectedly took a 2-1 lead. I
ran responded quickly, advancing unrelentingly. In the 64th minute, Beheshti’s risky free kick prompted Sarkar to make yet another spectacular save. India’s penalty area turned into a war as crosses came flying in and shots bounced off legs. However, the brave, resolute, and uncompromising Indian backline held firm. India performed with outstanding spirit and handled the tempo with incredible maturity for their age, whereas Iran became more and more agitated as the minutes passed. In front of 4,928 spectators in Ahmedabad, the final whistle sounded, sealing a memorable evening for India’s young heroes and confirming a win built on tenacity, faith, and passion.
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