India 5-0 Bhutan Highlights, U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026: Blue Colts Outclass Dragon Boys

Greetings and welcome, everyone. Stay with us for the build-up and live updates from India's campaign opener in the U23 Tri-Nation Championship.

The match kicks off at 7pm IST. The India vs Bhutan, U23 Tri-Nation Championship 2026 clash will be live-streamed on the SonyLIV app and website in India. It will be televised live on the Sony Sports Network TV channels in the country.

While the India U23 team prepares to face Bhutan, their U-20 counterparts have played a 1-1 draw with Bangladesh in their last group game of the AFC U20 Championship. Both teams had already qualified for the semi-finals; Bangladesh will meet Nepal in the first semi-final and India will lock horns with Bhutan in the second one.

The teams are out on the pitch and have lined up for the national anthems and other pre-match formalities. Before the match kicks off, here is India's line-up:

We are off! Play gets underway in Yupia. India kicking from left to right and Bhutan the other way in the first half. The Blue Colts looking to exert some early pressure on the visitors.

Huge chance goes abegging! Suhail Bhat had it laid on a platter, a grounded cross finding him bang at the goalmouth with just the Bhutan goalie to beat. But Suhail bungles the shot from his left foot, completely mistiming it to squander the early opportunity.

Another chance! This time it's Lalthankima, who has the ball at the edge of the box but his deft shot goes wide of the far post. India looking rusty with their play in the final third.

India continue to dominate Bhutan in the early exchanges, pressing forward and giving the Dragon Boys little breathing space for offence. But the hosts have not translated that into anything tangible as yet.

India see Bhutan custodian Lhocho Nima out of his post and take a crack, but the ball hits the post! Another opportunity arrives a few minutes later, but Ebin Das, Lalthankima and their fellow attackers are unable to find the breakthrough.

Add one more to the list of India's missed chances. The Blue Colts are off on a swift counter and move the ball forward efficiently, releasing Lalthankima. But he takes too long to make the crucial pass and eventually passes it to Ebin Das, who makes a mess of the shot from centre of goal.

India finally have the lead! While the forwards and midfielders falter, a full back steps up to score from distance. Ricky Meetei unleashes a superb right-footed shot to beat the Bhutan 'keeper. The ball nestles into the far corner, and Naushad Moosa rejoices!

A couple of minutes are added to the first half, and the referee blows the whistle once that time elapses. India were frustrated with all the chances they missed in the first 40 minutes, but the late strike by Rickey Meetei gives them confidence, going into the second half.

The players return from the lemon break and the second half kicks off. India now attacking from right to left and Bhutan the other way. The Blue Colts pick up from where they left, and are on the offensive charge right away.

India have their second! Suhail Bhat finally comes to the party, making the most of a defensive lapse in the box to easily slot the ball in. The Blue Colts now in the driver's seat in every way.

Though they were up 1-0 at half-time and their goal hardly troubled, India decided to switch custodians in the second half. Naushad Moosa made the call purely to give Dipesh Chauhan some time under the bar, one reckons.

Fanai almost fetches India's third! It's lovely run from the youngster, steaming ahead from the centre line and dodging a couple of defenders before shooting just wide of the far post.

Bhutan captain Pema Zangpo averts danger for his side with a fantastic goal-line clearance. India continue to knock on the door and are now just trying to test themselves, having virtually assured victory.

India score twice in two-odd minutes! Substitute Tomba Haobam lets rip a sizzling right-footer from distance, which takes a deflection and beats the Bhutan goalie in the 79th minute. Before the Dragon Boys can regroup, Suhail gets his second in the 81st, unfurling another right-footer to make merry at the Golden Jubilee Stadium.

Birthday boy on the scoresheet! Muhammed Ajsal joins the party, patting down Suhail's pinpoint aerial ball and pile-driving it past a hapless Lhoco Nima. It's a carnival now in Lupia, with the partisan crowd, Indian support staff and players alike revelling in their dominance.

The referee brings the match and Bhutan's misery to an end after two minutes of stoppage time in the second half. India emerge comprehensive 5-0 victors to make a rousing start to their campaign.

Not only do India climb to the top of the standings, they also open up a healthy +5 goal difference. A draw in their next match against Tajikistan on March 31 would thus be enough for the Blue Colts to clinch the championship. Bhutan, meanwhile are out of podium contention with consecutive losses.