Kerala Blasters players score 5 goals in India's 6-0 win over Brunei, Vibin hits hat-trick

Kerala Blasters players scored five goals in India's thumping 6-0 win over Brunei Darussalam in their final AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifier in Doha on Tuesday.

Blasters' midfielder Vibin Mohanan scored a hat-trick (5, 7, 62), while their exciting winger Mohammed Aimen (87, 90+7) hit a brace. Ayush Chhetri (41) also got his name on the score sheet.

Vibin opened the scoring in the 5th minute and hit the second goal two minutes later when a long ball looped over the Brunei goalkeeper and landed in the net. But his hat-trick goal came from a freekick.

Aimen did not start the match and came in shortly before the hour, but he produced two stunning late strikes after hitting the post once.

Five Blasters players participated in the match, including four from the start. Defender Bikash Yumnam captained the team that comprised his Blasters teammates Muhammed Saheef and Sreekuttan M S, besides Vibin and Aimen.

Under head coach Naushad Moosa, India began with a 2-0 win over Bahrain, but lost a hard-fought game to favourites Qatar (1-2). India's chances of advancing in the event depend on other matches. India will be aiming to qualify as one of the four best runners-up sides across the 11 groups.