India vs Hong Kong AS IT HAPPENED, AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India suffered their second consecutive defeat in the international calendar and the first defeat AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers tonight, falling 1-0 to Hong Kong in a hard-fought encounter decided by a late penalty.
The match at Kai Tak Stadium remained goalless at halftime, despite India missing a sitter in the 35th minute when Ashique Kuruniyan failed to convert from close range. Hong Kong had also been denied by a goal-line clearance earlier in the first half.

The second half continued with both teams pushing for a breakthrough. India's efforts intensified, with substitute Sunil Chhetri coming close to scoring in the dying minutes. However, the decisive moment arrived late in the game when Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith miscued a clearance, fouling a Hong Kong player in the box and receiving a yellow card. Stefan Perreira calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 90th minute, securing the win for the home side.
The final whistle confirmed Hong Kong's victory and left the Blue Tigers with much to reflect on as they face an uphill battle in the qualifiers.
That's it! Full-Time! Hong Kong have claimed victory in this game!! They edgedIndia at the death through a cheeky penalty!! The players soak in celebration with the home fans. India slump to their second defeat in as many games and the Blue Tigers have lot to do in the coming matches. FT: IND 0-1 HKG (Stefan Perreira)
Stefan Perreira scores!!! Hong Kong take the lead with just few minutes to go! IND 0-1 HKG (Stefan)
Vishal Kaith gets a yellow card after Kaith punches the Hong Kong player while clearing the ball!
Final few minutes of the as the game goes to stoppage time. 5 minutes have been added on. Can India score a winner?
India making life difficult for Hong Kong with their flurry of attacks, even Sunil Chhetri who came on as a sub came close to scoring. Just few seconds after that action, Hong Kong had a chance but the Indian defenders expertly thwarted it away. IND 0-0 HKG (83rd Min)
Anwar Ali inflicted a very bad foul but gets it away without a possible red card. IND 0-0 HKG (75th Min)
We have crossed 70 minutes in this game as we head towards the last 20 minutes of the game. Will we see a winner? IND 0-0 HKG (70th Min)
Hong Kong's Rodriguez has a crack from distance and Vishal Kaith thwarts it away from danger!! IND 0-0 HKG (64th Min)
Ashique Kuruniyan have missed another chance in this game! This it was not simple, as he had to turn and take the shot inside the box, but once again it was off target. IND 0-0 HKG (50th Min)
We get the ball rolling in the second-half! India and Hong Kong will be itching to break the deadlock!
It's half-time here in Hong Kong and the score is still goalless. Both the sides have literally cancelled out each other but the best chance fell to the Indians, who failed to make the most of it. HT: IND 0-0 HKG
Hong Kong managed to get past the defenders from a free-kick but the Indians managed to thwart the danger with a goal-line clearance! IND 0-0 HKG (41st Min)
The Blue Tigers have missed a sitter from inside the box!! Liston Colaco delivered in a delightful into the box and Ashique Kuruniyan, who just had the keeper to beat, puts it wide from his first-time attempt! IND 0-0 HKG (35th Min)
Defending has been solid so far in the game. Both the sides have cancelled each out other in the match so far. IND 0-0 HKG (32nd Min)
The home side are dominating possession as of now but either of the sides are yet to have a shot on target. There have been moments, but no clear-cut chances so far. IND 0-0 HKG (25th Min)
Series of attacks here in Hong Kong! End-to-end action as Hong Kong creates one chance, while India are also not behind as they push men forward to put the Hong Kong defenders in a spot. IND 0-0 HKG (16th Min)
The away side are also not far behind as they are also trying to create pressure from the third flank. IND 0-0 HKG (10th Min)
Hong Kong come up with an early chance and the shot just outside the box goes over the bar for a goal-kick. India need to be cautious. IND 0-0 HKG (3rd Min)
The ball gets rolling in Hong Kong! We are in for a competititve game for sure!
In this very group, only India have participated in AFC Asian Cups for the most number of times (5). They were the runners-up in 1964. Hong Kong have appeared 4 times, whereas Singapore have played only one edition in their history. The Bangaldeshis are yet to qualify for the biggest stage in Asia.
Apart from this particular match in the group, Bangladesh will be taking on Singapore in Dhaka later this evening.
Calm before the storm as the Indian tigers are ready to roar at the Kai Tak Stadium!
💙🚶♂️
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 10, 2025
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India are looking to experiment without their star man Sunil Chhetri. The Blue Tigers are actually looking for options of who can acutally replace him in the No. 9 position as the Indians lack a proper striker apart from him.
Hong Kong Playing XI: Hung Fai, Oliver, Jones, Walter, Rodriguez, Fernando, Merkies, Chun Lok, Shinchi, Tze Nam, Ming Him
India Playing XI: Vishal, Anwar, Jhingan, Asish, Liston, Suresh, Brandon, Chhangte, Apuia, Abhishek, Ashique.
For the Indian football team, their upcoming match against Hong Kong is about more than just securing qualification; it's a chance to rewrite history. While India holds a narrow lead in their head-to-head encounters, with nine wins to Hong Kong's eight (and seven draws), their away record in Hong Kong is a cause for concern. Their sole victory on Hong Kong soil dates all the way back to 1957.
Despite this historical struggle, Indian supporters can find encouragement in their team's dominant 4-0 triumph over Hong Kong during the 2022 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kolkata. However, replicating such a commanding performance away from home will undoubtedly be a tougher challenge.
After a disappointing loss to Thailand earlier in June, India will be aiming to bounce back and get their AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign back on track. Currently placed 127th in the FIFA rankings, the Blue Tigers began their Group C journey with a draw against Bangladesh, leaving them without a win so far. Hong Kong, ranked 153rd, also started their campaign in similar fashion, playing out a stalemate with Singapore. With no team in the group having secured maximum points yet, the standings remain wide open. As a result, the upcoming match between India and Hong Kong could play a crucial role in determining which side gains the upper hand in the tightly contested group.
Hello and welcome to out live coverage of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifers Match between India and Hong Kong!
Similarly, Hong Kong-ranked 153rd-shared the points with Singapore in their first qualifier. With all four teams in Group C yet to register a win, the group remains finely poised, and Tuesday's clash could prove decisive in shaping the race for top spot.
This fixture also features a compelling subplot, with Hong Kong being led by Ashley Westwood-well known in Indian football circles for his stints with Bengaluru FC, ATK FC, and most recently, Punjab FC. Appointed as Hong Kong's head coach in August 2024, Westwood has made an immediate impact, losing only one of his 12 games in charge. However, most of those results came against lower-ranked opposition, with just two victories against stronger teams-Solomon Islands and the Philippines, both in friendlies.
For India, this match is as much about redemption as it is about qualification. Historically, India hold a slight edge in head-to-head meetings, winning nine of the previous 24 encounters. Hong Kong have eight wins, while seven matches have ended in stalemates. However, India's away record in Hong Kong is poor, with their only win coming back in 1957.
Still, Indian fans will draw confidence from their team's dominant 4-0 victory over the same opponents in the 2022 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kolkata. Replicating that performance on foreign soil, however, will be a more demanding task.
With both teams under pressure to secure a first win and seize control of the group, Tuesday's fixture promises to be a high-stakes battle where margins could be slim-and moments of quality, decisive.