Skipper Taison Singh and Gurkirat Singh struck in either half as India edged past hosts Kuwait 2-1 in their final qualification match but the third-place finish in Group H was not good enough to qualify for the next year’s AFC U-20 Asian Cup.

India finished ahead of Kuwait but behind toppers Australia and second-placed Iraq qualification event, which identified participants for next year’s tournament in Uzbekistan. Top teams from all the 10 groups and the five best runners-up qualified for the final tournament, with Uzbekistan getting a direct entry as hosts in the 16-team continental event to be held from March 1 to 18 in 2023. India had lost 2-4 and 1-4 to Iraq and Australia respectively in their previous group matches.