India, Dec. 1 -- Bibiano Fernandes has "unfinished business." In 2018, the only goal India conceded in the Asian under-16 junior men's football finals came in the 68th minute of the quarter-final against South Korea. It dashed hopes of an under-17 World Cup berth. The new format guarantees Asian quarter-finalists World Cup qualification meaning if India can get out of the group, Fernandes's boys will make history.

"This shows we are closer to qualifying for the World Cup," said the India head coach one day after a come-from-behind 2-1 win in Ahmedabad against Iran sealed a finals berth in the 16-team AFC under-17 Asian Cup that will be held in Saudi Arabia from May 7-24, 2026.

"Iran and South Korea are almost on the same level. And if w...