Late penalty hands India defeat against Hong Kong
NEW DELHI: A stoppage-time penalty condemned India to a 0-1 defeat against Hong Kong in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Group C qualifier at the Kai Tak Stadium in Kowloon on Tuesday.
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 in Group C.
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, is second, with Bangladesh and India occupying third and fourth spots, respectively.
India took time to grow into the match but found rhythm midway through the first half. Its 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, distributing with intent and winning key duels.
India’s best chance of the first half came in the 35th minute. Fernandes pounced on a loose pass and released Colaco down the left. Colaco delivered an inch-perfect cross across the face of the goal and Kuruniyan met it with a well-timed run only to sky his effort, failing to trouble the goalkeeper.
Six minutes later, Hong Kong got a chance of its own.
A deep free-kick from Soares Junior Walter floated dangerously into the box, bypassing defenders and reaching Oliver Gerbig at the far post. His flicked attempt was met by a swift reaction from Kaith, who came off his line to block the shot before Anwar cleared the danger.
India began the second half with renewed aggression. Kuruniyan had another sight of goal just outside the box but was again unable to keep his shot down. To inject more quality in the final third, India head coach Manolo Márquez introduced Sunil Chhetri who came on after Kuruniyan was unable to carry on after suffering an injury.
In the 82nd minute, Chhangte surged down the right and cut back a precise ball for Chhetri. The talismanic striker’s shot was goal-bound, but a timely block from a Hong Kong defender denied him.
Just as the match appeared destined for a second successive goalless draw for India, it suffered a setback.
A long ball was floated toward India’s box in injury time. Kaith charged out in an attempt to clear but mistimed his jump and collided with Hong Kong forward Michael Udebuluzor instead of punching the ball. Referee Sheikh Ahmad Alaeddin had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Kaith, for his efforts, was shown a yellow card.
Substitute Pereira stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty into the bottom corner, sending Kaith the wrong way and the home crowd into euphoria.
Agencies