Australia Drub India 4-0 in Blue Colts’ Tough AFC U17 Asian Cup Opener
India’s World Cup dream got a brutal reality check on day one.
The Blue Colts were hammered 4-0 by Australia in their AFC U17 Asian Cup opener in Jeddah on Wednesday. Becvinovski put the Joeys ahead in the fourth minute, Max Court converted a penalty before the break, then Demuth and Oliveira added two more in the final quarter.
India had chances — defensive lapses let them down more than the attack. The margin was harsh but honest.
The stakes are enormous. Top teams from this tournament qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year. Coach Bibiano Fernandes had said they were “very close” to a World Cup spot. They are — but this opening loss makes the road harder.
Group matches against Japan and Uzbekistan await. India need points now