India lost their Matchday 2 fixture in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Final Round Qualifiers against Hong Kong, 1-0, at the Kai Tak Stadium on June 10. A dying-minute goal broke the deadlock, sending Hong Kong to the second place of Group C with 4 points and one match remaining. India dropped to the bottom of the group with just 1 point from two matches, with one match still to play.
Both teams kicked off the match with attacking intent but couldn’t score. In the 35th minute, the Blue Tigers had possibly their best chance of the first half. Brandon Fernandes carried the ball forward but was brought down. However, Liston Colaco recovered possession and delivered a pass from the left into the box for Ashique Kuruniyan, who, in a one-on-one close-range situation, couldn’t convert it into a goal.
In the 41st minute, the home side earned a free-kick and had an opportunity to score. From the resulting ball, Benjamin Gerbig attempted a close-range shot, but Ashish Rai made a goal-line clearance, as the keeper was out of position.
Early in the second half, in the 50th minute, Ashique Kuruniyan got another golden chance. He received the ball from the right, took a shot from inside the box, but the ball went wide. From a counter-attack, Hong Kong attempted a long-range shot which Vishal Kaith saved. From that move, they earned back-to-back corners but failed to find the back of the net.
As time went on, India gained more possession and looked slightly more attacking. In the 69th minute, Sunil Chhetri, who came on in the second half, received a through ball and quickly sent a pass inside the box for Chhangte. However, before Chhangte could make an attempt, goalkeeper Yapp Hung collected the ball. In the 82nd minute, India had another close chance. Chhangte, from the right, cut the ball back for Sunil Chhetri, but defender Leon Jones made a crucial block.
In added time, Hong Kong got their big chance of the game and capitalised on it. In the 90+2nd minute, from a counter-attack launched by the home side, Michael Udebuluzor entered the box with a high ball. Vishal Kaith came off his line and attempted to punch it, but brought the player down in the process, resulting in a penalty. Pereira Stefan stepped up and converted the penalty, breaking the deadlock for Hong Kong in front of a 50,000-strong crowd at their newly inaugurated stadium.
India gave it their all and looked positive until they conceded the goal. However, the result makes their chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 more difficult. Still, with one match remaining, hope is alive. India will play their next qualifier fixture on October 9 against Singapore. On the same date, Hong Kong will play their final match against Bangladesh.
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier Highlights India vs Hong Kong
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