Indian football team lose 1-0 to Hong Kong China

The Indian men’s football team conceded a stoppage-time goal from the spot as they stumbled to a 1-0 defeat against Hong Kong China in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers third round at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday.

Substitute Stefan Pereira struck from the spot in the 94th minute, leaving the Blue Tigers in third spot with just one point from two matches in Group C.

Hong Kong China started the game with tempo, purpose and aggression. Their movement was sharp and they worked the ball out wide, trying to stretch India’s defence. However, despite their energy and possession, they struggled with penetration in the final third.

India’s defence, marshalled by veteran Sandesh Jhingan and youngster Anwar Ali, stood firm against repeated Hong Kong China attacks. The hosts were forced into speculative long-range efforts but India goalkeeper Vishal Kaith showed great composure and positioning to deal with most attempts.

On the rare occasions when Hong Kong China slipped a ball through the defence, Kaith was quick off his line to smother the danger.

India took time to grow into the match but found rhythm midway through the first half. Their best chance of the first half came in the 35th minute when Brandon Fernandes pounced on a loose pass and released Liston Colaco down the left.

Colaco delivered an inch-perfect cross across the face of goal and Ashique Kuruniyan met it with a well-timed run only to sky his effort, failing to trouble the goalkeeper.

Six minutes later, Hong Kong China threatened. A deep free-kick from Soares Junior Walter floated dangerously into the box, bypassing defenders and reaching Oliver Benjamin Gerbig at the far post. His flicked attempt was met by a swift reaction from Kaith, who came off his line to block the shot before Anwar Ali cleared the danger.

India began the second half with renewed aggression. Kuruniyan had another sight of goal just outside the box but was again unable to keep his shot down. To inject more quality in the final third, India head coach Manolo Márquez introduced Sunil Chhetri with a little over an hour to go.

Chhetri made an immediate impact, dropping deep to facilitate link-up play and carving out half-chances for teammates. In the 82nd minute, Lallianzuala Chhangte surged down the right and cut back a precise ball for Chhetri. The talismanic striker’s shot was goal-bound but a block from a Hong Kong China defender denied him.

Just as the match appeared destined for a second successive goalless draw for India, a long ball was floated into India’s box in injury time. Kaith charged out in an attempt to clear but mistimed his jump and collided with Hong Kong China forward Michael Udebuluzor instead of punching the ball.

The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and substitute Pereira Stefan stepped up to calmly slot the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Kaith the wrong way to make it 1-0.

For India, it was a cruel end to a match where they had held their own for 90 minutes. They will face Singapore in their next AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers third round match on October 9, Thursday.

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