AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Ryan Williams Scores On Debut As India Defeat Hong Kong 2-1 To Secure First Win At Kochi

India vs Hong Kong: India beat Hong Kong 2-1 in Kochi on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The win came in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round, Group C. Debutant Ryan Williams and left-back Akash Mishra scored. Everton Camargo replied for Hong Kong.

The match took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, before 22,690 fans. India finished their Group C campaign with five points. They had one win, two draws and three losses. Singapore topped the group with 14 points and secured qualification.

Head coach Khalid Jamil started Ryan Williams for his India debut. Bijoy Varghese made his first appearance from the bench later. India began fast, scoring in the fourth minute. Williams tapped in after a right flank move. Abhishek Singh Tekcham and Manvir Singh combined to create the chance.

Williams set a new record with that early goal. It became the fastest goal by a debutant for India. It beat the sixth-minute efforts of K Appalaraju in 1963. It also beat Mehtab Hossain’s sixth-minute goal in 2005. Both earlier goals had stood as the previous mark.

India vs Hong Kong: Strong Opening Half From Blue Tigers

After the opener, India controlled possession and tempo. Manvir sent a cross towards Lallianzuala Chhangte, but Hong Kong cleared. India’s defence crowded opposing attackers with four or five players. They stayed behind the ball whenever Hong Kong advanced. This limited clear chances for the visitors in the first half.

India posed a threat in counterattacks. Williams released Manvir, who flicked to Chhangte. The winger shot with his weaker right foot. Defender Shinichi Chan blocked, conceding a corner. At 25 minutes, Apuia shot wide after a sharp break. India reached half-time leading 1-0.

India started the second half strongly. Rahul Bheke’s long throw was not cleared properly. The ball bounced near the near post. Akash Mishra reacted quickest from a tight angle. He struck a right-footed shot for his first international goal.

Hong Kong responded soon after the hour mark. Braunshtain Barak found space between Sandesh Jhingan and Bheke. He slipped a pass to Everton Camargo. Camargo timed his run well and finished past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The goal reduced India’s lead to 2-1.

Liston Colaco tested the goalkeeper with a long-range effort soon after. Jamil then made a double change at 70 minutes. Injured Williams and Anwar Ali went off. Ashique Kuruniyan and Jeakson Singh Thounaojam came on. Ashique added energy and produced several goal attempts.

Ashique’s first shot went straight at the goalkeeper. Another effort deflected off a defender for a corner. A third chance rolled just wide of the post. At the other end, substitute Jason Kam forced a save with a header. Gurpreet also pushed away Ng Yu Hei’s shot from range.

Ashique stayed involved in the attack during the closing stages. Liston slipped him through with a clever weighted pass. Ashique’s left-foot shot was again blocked by the defence. In the 90th minute, Bijoy Varghese replaced Chhangte. The Kerala defender made a key sliding tackle in stoppage time.

India's Starting 11 Against Hong Kong

India’s starting eleven included Gurpreet, Bheke, Anwar, Jhingan and Mishra. Chhangte, Lalengmawia, Manvir, Williams, Abhishek Singh Tekcham and Liston also started. Roshan Singh Naorem replaced Mishra on 84 minutes. India protected their one-goal lead under late pressure. They ended their qualifying campaign with a home victory.