Asian Cup: India’s qualifying hopes sink with loss against Hong Kong

There was no change in luck for India in their qualifying campaign for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 as they went down 1-0 to Hong Kong via a stoppage time penalty at the at the Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. They have so far remained winless in two of the three Group C games after having been held goalless by Bangladesh in March.

In front of a raucous crowd of 42,570 at the newly opened stadium, substitute Stefan Pereira struck from the spot in the 94th minute, leaving the Blue Tigers with just one point from two matches. Singapore defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in Dhaka in the other match of the group to climb to the top of the table.

Hong Kong, with the same number of points, are second with Bangladesh and India occupying third and fourth spots, respectively. India's chances of making the cut in the premier Asian event for the third time in a row is all but over - though they still have a last match to go against Singapore in October.

India took time to grow into the match but found rhythm midway through the first half. Their approach was built on defensive discipline and counter-attacking bursts through the pace of Liston Colaco, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Ashique Kuruniyan. Brandon Fernandes operated effectively in midfield by winning the key duels.

Their best chance of the first half came in the 35th minute when Fernandes pounced on a loose ball and released Colaco down the left. Colaco delivered a measured cross across the face of goal and Kuruniyan met it with a well-timed run only to sky his effort, failing to trouble the goalkeeper.

Márquez introduced Sunil Chhetri with a little over an hour to go but even he failed to break the deadlock despite a close call in the 82nd minute.