India Falls to Hong Kong in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: A Last-Minute Heartbreak
In a disappointing turn of events, India suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. Despite the presence of star player Sunil Chhetri, who came on in the 58th minute, the team couldn’t find the back of the net. The loss was notably painful as it came from a penalty awarded in injury time, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief.
The match, held at kowloon’s Kai Tak Sports Park, saw India struggle from the outset. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith’s critical error led to the penalty that sealed India’s fate. Hong Kong capitalized on a defensive lapse, with Pereira converting the penalty after a foul by Kaith. Despite the All India Football Federation’s promise of a ₹4.3 million reward for a win, the motivation fell flat as the team failed to capitalize on their chances. Early opportunities were squandered, including a missed free-kick by Brendan Fernandes and a glaring miss from Ashik Kurian.
As the match progressed, it became evident that India’s players were disoriented, unable to find their rhythm. The defeat leaves India with only four points from two matches, while Hong Kong climbs to the top of Group C. Coach Manolo Marquez faces mounting pressure as the team looks to regroup and refocus for their upcoming challenges. The road to the Asian Cup is proving to be a rocky one, and fans are left hoping for a turnaround in fortunes.
