India 0-1 Hong Kong Highlights, AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Late Pereira Penalty Gives HKG Historic Win

A very good afternoon to everyone tuning in to today바카라�s headline football clash between India and Hong Kong. The action starts at 5:30 PM IST, so stay tuned for live updates, team news, and all the pre-match build-up as it rolls in!

Before the playing XIs are released, let바카라�s have a look at the full squad that manager Manolo Marquez has at his disposal.

India Squad: Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Amrinder Singh, Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Konsham Chinglensana Singh, Anwar Ali, Thangjam Boris Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes, Nikhil Prabhu, Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte

It바카라�s a big day for Asian football. Other than the 12 AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiying group-stage fixtures, we also have a number of heavyweights playing in the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Teams like Japan, South Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are in action. Follow our live coverage of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers goal rush.

Today바카라�s match is one for the history books, as it is the first ever clash at Hong Kong바카라�s newest stadium 바카라� Kai Tak Stadium. The multipurpose stadium is the largest one in Hong Kong, having a maximum capacity of 50,000. It was built at the place of the former Kai Tak Airport in Kowloon, and cost about USD 3.9 billion, with features like the ability to host several events, as well as a retractable roof. Oh, and it looks amazing as well!

The India vs Hong Kong match will be live-streamed on the FanCode platform in India. Find out more about when and where to watch the live-streaming and telecast of the IND vs HKG match.

India are currently leading in the head-to-head records against Hong Kong, having won nine of the 28 games played between the two countries across all competitions. The Men in Blue won 4-0 against Singapore in the last encounter between them back in 2022. Read the full head-to-head records and stats between IND and HKG.

Starting XI: Vishal Kaith; Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan (c), Ashish Rai; Apuia, Suresh Singh Wangjam; Liston Colaco, Brandon Fernandes, Lallianzuala Chhangte; Ashique Kuruniyan

Bench: Rahul Bheke, Edmund Lalrindika, Chinglensana Singh Konsham, Sunil Chhetri, Naorem Roshan Singh, Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Ayush Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Nikhil Prabhu, Boris Singh Thangjam, Amrinder Singh

Starting XI: Yapp Hung Fai (c); Oliver Benjamin Gerbig, Leon Jones, Soares Junior Walter, Bleda Rodriguez, Fernando Azevedo Pereira, Raphael Merkies, Tan Chun Lok, Chan Shinichi, Yue Tze Nam, Sun Ming Him

Bench: Tsui Wang Kit, Luis Eduardo, Nicholas Medeiros, Ngan Cheuk Pan, Lau Ka Kiu, Ng Yu Hei, Pereira Stefan, Mahama Awal, Tse Ka Wing, Oleksii Shliakotin, Michael Udebuluzor, Wong Ho Chun Anson

India: 🔴L ⚫D ⚫D ⚫D 🔴L

Hong Kong: 🟢W 🟢W ⚫D 🔴L ⚫D

The referee blows his whistle, and we are underway at the Kai Tak Stadium! Stay tuned for play-by-play updates for the India vs Hong Kong match!

IND 0-0 HKG (0')

An early chance for Hong Kong, as Apuia and Chhangte fail to close down the hosts, and Bleda Rodriguez has a shot from inside the box. Although the goalkeeper is rooted to his spot, the curling shot goes wide. A warning side for India.

IND 0-0 HKG (4')

A first-time cross from Ashish Rai gives India the first corner of the match. However, Brandon Fernandes바카라� ball into the box does not amount to anything. After some intense pressure from Hong Kong in the opening seven-eight minutes, India need to have more ball possession. For now, that바카라�s not happening as HKG are winning the midfield battle against Apuia and Suresh.

IND 0-0 HKG (10')

Brandon Fernandes floats in a ball inside the box, and it might have gotten a touch off Jhingan before going into the hands of goalkeeper Hung Fai. Hong Kong counter quickly and get a great ball in the box, but it is punched away by Vishal Kiath.

India attempt to counter again through Ashique, but he is crowded out and it comes to nothing, and the ball possession goes to the hosts. India are trying to slow the game down, and the crowd is not happy.

IND 0-0 HKG (17')

Another set-piece opportunity for India, but, for the second time, Brandon Fernandes바카라� ball in has no real lethality, and the Hong Kong keeper collects without any trouble. Hung Fai collects and immediately launches a counter, but India바카라�s defence overpowers and steals the ball 바카라� fairly, as per the referee.

IND 0-0 HKG (22')

End-to-end action again, as Merkies has a shot from distance, egged on by the crowd, but it바카라�s caught by Vishal Kaith. The goalkeeper plays it to Liston Colaco, and the winger, too, shoots from distance, and it was not far away. It바카라�s all-out attack from both sides, but the accuracy is missing.

IND 0-0 HKG (27')

The first yellow card of the match goes to Juninho for a late challenge from behind on Ashish Rai. The Indian full-back goes down with injury, but is eventually fit to continue. Fernandes has another chance to put the ball in, and this time, it바카라�s a much better delivery. It falls to Anwar Ali on the left edge of the box, and the header is straight at the goalkeeper. Better from India.

A terrific chance falls to India immediately after. Fernandes dispossesses Hong Kong and it falls to Colaco. The winger puts in a terrific cross, and it is met by an onrushing Ashique. The forward shoots first time with his left, and it goes wide of the near post. A big, big chance goes to waste for the visitors.

IND 0-0 HKG (35')

Indian defence has to be alert, as Hong Kong almost got in. HKG attempt an acrobatic bicycle kick, but it bounces to Oliver Benjamin, and he tries to poke it in, but Kaith rushes out and keeps it out. Rodriguez has another go at goal, but Anwar Ali blocks it, and the referee waves play on despite Hong Kong바카라�s appeal for handball.

IND 0-0 HKG (43')

After one minute of added time, we go to break with the scores still level at nil-nil. Hong Kong have been the more attacking of the two sides, but the best chance fell to India바카라�s Ashique Kuruniyan. No goals yet, but both sides will be hoping to change that in the second half.

IND 0-0 HKG (HT)

Both teams are out of the tunnel, and the second half is underway. One change for the hosts, with Raphael Merkies being withdrawn and Mahama Awal being brought on.

IND 0-0 HGK (46')

A chance out of nothing for India. Chhangte plays it to Ashique in the box, and the forward makes a half turn and shoots with his left, but it goes wide of the left post. A good start from India to the second half.

IND 0-0 HKG (51')

After a miserable day out today, Ashique바카라�s night seems to be over as the forward goes down and signals to the bench after holding his hamstring. Sunil Chhetri warms up quickly and comes on as India바카라�s lone striker today. Brandon Fernandes is also withdrawn, and Mahesh Naorem Singh comes on.

IND 0-0 HKG (57')

Most of the ball possession is with Hong Kong at the moment as the hosts attempt to break India바카라�s defence, but Sunil Chhetri is leading the press from the Men in Blue. It almost all changes in a moment as a terrible pass from Suresh is cut out by Fernando, and he shoots towards goal, but Vishal dives to tip it over. Suresh바카라�s mistake could have been extremely costly.

IND 0-0 HKG (66')

Chhangte has two chances in five minutes. The winger is first played through down the right side by Sunil Chhetri, but the goalkeeper rushes out to steal the ball before Chhangte can pull the trigger. The second chance is from some distance away, as the #17 drops his shoulder and let바카라�s out a powerful shot, but it바카라�s gathered by Yapp Hung Fai.

IND 0-0 HKG (72')

Belda Rodriguez is brought off, and Michael Udebuluzor replaces him. Anwar Ali escapes a red card despite rushing in with his studs showing against Sun Ming Him. Hong Kong has the ball, and continue attacking Vishal Kaith바카라�s goal. A long distance shot from Oliver Benjamin is easily blocked off by Indian defence.

IND 0-0 HKG (76')

What a magnificent chance for India. Chhangte is played through down the right wing with a perfect ball, and he runs forward and cuts it back for Chhetri, but before the forward can shoot, Leon Jones puts in a crucial block to deflect it over the bar.

IND 0-0 HKG (82')

In the first minute of five minutes of added time, Hong Kong get a lifeline. The pressure pays off, with Michael Udebuluzor being played through. Vishal Kaith comes forward to punch the ball away, but ends up punching the Hong Kong forward. The referee immediately points to the spot, and shows a yellow card to Vishal.

IND 0-0 HKG (90+2')

Substitute Stefan Pereira steps up to take the penalty. It's a stop and stutter runup followed by a jump, but he completely misdirects Vishal Kaith, hitting the inside edge of the left post and going in!

Pandemoniun among Hong Kong fans, and what a moment for the hosts.

IND 0-1 HKG (90+5')

It바카라�s all over at the Kai Tak Stadium, and Hong Kong steal the win after an extra-time penalty from Stefan Pereira. The crowd are celebrating wildly, and the Indian players look dejected.

A narrow defeat for the Men in Blue, but a lot of positives to take home for Manolo Marquez.

IND 0-1 HKG (FT)

This defeat is a hammer blow to India바카라�s hopes to qualify for the next stage, but it바카라�s not all over for the Men in Blue. Right now, India are tied for the last place with Bangladesh, who are losing 1-0 to Hong Kong in their qualifying match today.

If the results stay like they are, India will have to win in their final group-stage game against Singapore, which will take them to five points to the top of the table, which will mean qualification.

The Men in Blue will also have to hope that Bangladesh beat Hong Kong 바카라� currently on four points 바카라� in their last game, which will mean that all three teams other than India will finish on four points.

With the issue of whether or not to allow players with Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) to don the blue jersey raging on, Stefan Pereira바카라�s penalty goal for Hong Kong might add fuel to the fire. The 37-year-old forward was born in Brazil, and only became naturalised as a Hong Kong citizen back in December 2023.

A naturalised player scoring to condemn India to a heartbreaking defeat will give more support to the claims that India should allow dual citizens to play for the national team.

That바카라�s it for our live coverage of today바카라�s match between India and Hong Kong. It바카라�s a demoralising result for fans of Indian football, with the Men in Blue playing admirably in tough away conditions, but going down late in the game due to an individual error. Read our full match report.

You can also follow our live coverage of the Bangladesh vs Singapore match, which will be crucial in determining India바카라�s qualification chances.