For India U20 men’s team winger Vishal Yadav, the 86th minute has come to mean both pain and redemption.
On October 27, 2024, Yadav was on the pitch as India U17 faced Thailand in their final AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 qualifier. He had put India 2-1 ahead with a superb volley, taking the Blue Colts to within touching distance of qualification. Then came the 86th minute. Thailand scored and won 3-2. India, who only needed a draw to qualify, had their dreams shattered.
Almost two years later, the same minute returned to Yadav and the Blue Colts’ story, but this time, with a very different ending.
India’s opening match of the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers against Syria was locked at 0-0 deep into the game. In the 86th minute, Shami Singamayum found the breakthrough, scoring the goal that would ultimately prove decisive in India’s qualification.
And then six days later, when India eventually secured their place in the AFC U20 Asian Cup after a 20-year wait, Yadav scored one of the defining goals of the campaign himself.
In the 60th minute against Bangladesh on September 6, Yaipharemba Chingakham’s long throw was flicked on by Rishikanta Meitei Laishram inside the box. Yadav reacted instinctively, throwing his right foot at the ball and producing an acrobatic finish that doubled India’s advantage.
It added another chapter in a journey that has seen the 18-year-old progress through India’s age-group teams, experience disappointment, taste success and keep moving forward.
“I am very happy, individually and as a team, because after 20 years, we have qualified for the U20 Asian Cup, which is historic for India,” Yadav said. “Our young players should be proud that we have done it. We showed that we are not an average team and that we can qualify.”
The goal against Bangladesh, however, was not a moment of improvisation alone.
It had been worked on.
“We had a strategy for the long throw. We tried the same thing against Singapore as well. It was the same ball and the same strategy, with a flick,” Yadav explained.
There had been an almost identical opportunity in the closed-door friendly against Singapore last month. On that occasion, Yadav’s effort was saved before a teammate followed up to score.
“This time, it was the same ball, but I was ready. I just wanted to convert the ball in the middle,” he said.
When the ball eventually came towards him, there was barely time to think. “I was watching the ball, and then I saw it come towards me. I just tried to finish it.”
That confidence has been built over several years. Yadav’s first taste of international football came at the SAFF U16 Championship in Bhutan in 2023. He scored his first India goal in the semi-final against Maldives, before the Blue Colts went on to lift the trophy. A year later, he was part of another title-winning India side at the SAFF U17 Championship, scoring twice in the tournament.
But the disappointing memories of that night against Thailand in October 2024 have stayed with him.
“I still remember that day, October 27, 2024. At that time, we conceded in the 86th minute against Thailand and, basically, if they hadn’t scored, we would have qualified. So, I am very happy that we have got redemption now.”
The symmetry was difficult to ignore. In 2024, Vishal had scored a spectacular goal only to see India’s qualification hopes disappear in the 86th minute. In 2026, India’s qualification hopes were kept alive by a goal scored in the 86th minute, and Yadav would later add his own spectacular contribution as the Blue Colts completed their task against Bangladesh.
“Our first match was very important because that is where everything starts. From there, we get a big idea if we will qualify or not. We lost the match against Uzbekistan, and that hurt. It was a big learning experience for us, and we can try to do better in the Asian Cup,” he said.
That is the attitude that has taken him from the U16s to the U17s and now the U20s.
And he has already had a taste of senior football too, making his ISL debut for Punjab FC in February 2025, when he came on for the final 10 minutes against FC Goa. For a player who is still only 18, the journey has moved quickly.
“I am still very young, and to represent the nation at different age-group levels is a very big thing for me. I have played for the U16s, U17s and now the U20s. Every year, I have been able to continue this journey, and I am very grateful for that.”
It all began away from the traditional football centres. Vishal is originally from Jalalpur village in Ambedkar Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh, and grew up playing football after moving to live with his aunt in Varanasi.
His cousin, Shubham Yadav, played a particularly important role. “He took me to the ground and made me feel that football was fun. He told me to play and follow my passion. That is where my football journey really started. He is the reason,” Vishal said.
His own first India selection had felt almost unbelievable. “I felt that I wanted this jersey one day. Fortunately, I got selected for U16s, and I was very shocked. I could not believe it. Even after reaching Bhutan for the SAFF U16, it felt unbelievable.
Now, the dream is bigger. I want to continue this journey and one day play for the senior national team,” shared Yadav.
Before that comes China. The AFC U20 Asian Cup, which will be held in March and April 2027, will present a far greater challenge than the qualifiers, with some of Asia’s strongest youth sides standing in India’s way
“The qualifiers were difficult, but the final round will be even harder. There will be big teams like Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. They are very good, especially technically,” he said.
“It is the beginning of another journey. We have qualified for the Asian Cup, but now we have to prepare for what comes next.”
