AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier: India Gear Up For Hong Kong Test

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Ranked 127th, India, placed in Pot 1 for the qualifiers, started with a draw against Bangladesh in March.

Sunil Chhetri has 95 goals at international level to his name. (Image Credit: X/IndianFootball)
Sunil Chhetri has 95 goals at international level to his name. (Image Credit: X/IndianFootball)

Seeking their first tournament win, the Indian football team faces a crucial test against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 round three qualifier match on Tuesday.

Local media reports indicate that all 50,000 tickets for the match have been sold out, marking a new attendance record for Hong Kong football.

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    Manolo Marquez’s team is up against a revitalized Hong Kong side led by manager Ashley Westwood. Westwood, familiar with Indian football, will use his knowledge to benefit the home side.

    Ranked 127th, India, placed in Pot 1 for the qualifiers, started with a draw against Bangladesh in March. Similarly, Hong Kong, ranked 153rd and placed in Pot 2, also drew in Singapore, leaving Group C evenly poised after the first matchday.

    For Hong Kong, the match is historic. It is a crucial qualifier in their quest for a second AFC Asian Cup berth in 59 years and the inaugural football match at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, part of the Kai Tak Sports Park, the largest sports complex in Hong Kong. The stadium features a retractable roof and a flexible pitch system, built at a cost of HKD 30 billion on the site of the former airport.

    This will be the 25th meeting between India and Hong Kong since their first in 1951. India leads the head-to-head with nine wins, Hong Kong has eight, and there have been seven draws. However, India has won only once on Hong Kong soil, a 2-1 friendly victory in 1957. Their last meeting in 2022 ended in a 4-0 win for India in a rain-lashed qualifier in Kolkata.

    Defender Sandesh Jhingan emphasized, “It’s all about now." He said, “It was quite a comfortable scoreline, but since then, Hong Kong has changed a lot. They have a new coach and many new players. So, it’s not going to be as easy, and you cannot get complacent or take things lightly. Every game on the international stage is tough, especially on away soil. We are preparing in the best way, and we will go for the maximum points on Tuesday."

    Since August 2024, Hong Kong has been coached by Westwood, a familiar figure in Indian football. The Englishman previously led Bengaluru FC from 2013 to 2016 and later managed ATK and RoundGlass Punjab FC. He also coached the Afghanistan side that defeated India in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last year. Under Westwood, Hong Kong has lost only once in 12 matches—a 0-1 friendly defeat to Liechtenstein. They have secured two wins against higher-ranked opponents, Solomon Islands and the Philippines (both friendlies).

    In preparation for the match against India, Hong Kong played a non-official friendly against Manchester United FC, which they lost 1-3 on May 30, and a FIFA friendly against Nepal on June 5, which ended in a scoreless draw.

    Lallianzuala Chhangte shared his thoughts on the opponents. “Playing against Hong Kong is a significant challenge because they have a good defensive setup, and we know their coach as well. He has a lot of experience in India," Chhangte said. “Hong Kong is a good counter-attacking team as well, and we have to be well aware of that. We have a plan, and it’s all about executing. If we go into the game with the right mindset, attitude, and hunger, we can win this game," said the winger, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Sunday.

    In addition to the new coach, the Hong Kong squad includes many new naturalized and foreign-born players, such as forwards Juninho and Stefan Pereira, midfielder Fernando, and defender Dudu—all born in Brazil. Spain-born forward Manolo Bleda and Japan-born midfielder Sohgo Ichikawa also recently debuted for Hong Kong.

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      Among the experienced players are goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai, with over a century of caps, and defenders Sun Ming Him, Yue Tze Nam, and Tsui Wang Kit, all of whom play in the Chinese Super League. Midfielder Tan Chun Lok also brings experience to the team. Most of the squad, however, play in the Hong Kong Premier League for clubs like Kitchee SC, Southern District, Lee Man FC, Eastern FC, and current champions Tai Po FC.

      With PTI Inputs

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