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Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Asian Cup Qualifiers: India's downward spiral continues with 1-0 loss to Hong Kong
India's downward spiral on Asian football's ladder continued after Hong Kong, ranked 153rd in the world, won a late penalty and earned a win to boost their chances of making the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. The penalty was given away by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, allowing Stefan Pereira to score the winner from the spot in the 91st minute. The loss puts India's Asian Cup qualification hopes in a precarious position after Singapore won their tie against Bangladesh 2-1 and are now joint leaders with Hong Kong (4), with four games remaining for all the teams. Both Bangladesh and India are joint bottom of Group C with a point apiece. That India lost on the road isn't a surprise. The Indian team, with a three week long national camp under their belt, were capable of getting a win against Hong Kong, a team they had beaten two years ago in Kolkata 4-0. Coach Manolo Marquez started the game off in a brave manner, choosing not to select veteran striker Sunil Chhetri — who he had requested to come out of international retirement — in his playing XI. He instead went with Ashique Kuruniyan, a left-footed winger, who played as a striker for the very first time, for the national team, on Tuesday. India also had Edmund Lalrindika on the bench, a former Inter Kashi player who was the other established forward on the bench. The gamble did not pay off. In a game where chances were few and lacking in quality, Kuruniyan was handed the simplest of tap-ins in the 34th minute. A ball well won back by Brandon Fernandes in the midfield found its way to Liston Colaco on the left wing. The Mohun Bagan player released the ball into the Hong Kong box to Kuruniyan, with none but the keeper to beat. But the attacker chose to connect the ball with his trusted left-foot and frustratingly skied his attempt well outside of bounds. Part of India's sustained powerlessness to create chances in games has come from their inability to hold onto the ball, regardless of the opponent. Five minutes into the second half, Kuruniyan had another chance. But yet another left-footed attempt with no one but the goalkeeper to beat, went flying wide. Marquez brought on Sunil Chhetri in the 58th minute hoping for a prayer. Apart from a few stray stabs which were immediately blocked, Chhetri had a chance to put India in the lead as well, when Lallianzuala Chhangte passed the ball into the Hong Kong near-post. But his guided tap was blocked near the goal line. As both teams pushed looking for a winner, Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith committed a howler. Kaith attempted to punch a ball, on the edge of his box, while being surrounded by three Indian players and Hong Kong's Michael Udebuluzor. The Indian keeper, who struggled mightily against Thailand, ended up missing the ball and punching the Hong Kong substitute instead. Kaith was then sat down by Stefan Pereira who scored from the spot and launched into wild celebrations. India on the other hand now have a solitary point from two games, and with four more games remaining, are unlikely to make it to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup on present form. They next face a two-legged home and away Group C tie against Singapore on October 9 and 14.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Indian football continues to slide as team suffers defeat to lower-ranked Hong Kong
Kowloon , There was no stopping Indian football's decline as the senior men's team, lacking in spunk, finishing skill and the will to fight, suffered a calamitous 0-1 defeat to lower-ranked Hong Kong in a crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match here on Tuesday. Hosts Hong Kong emerged victorious after an injury-time goal by Stefan Pereira. The referee awarded Hong Kong the penalty after India custodian Vishal Kaith came out of the goalline and tried to punch the ball to safety, only to end up hitting Michael Udebuluzor and injuring the player. Pereira stepped up to take the spot kick and shot the ball to the right of Kaith, who was also shown a yellow card for his injury-time foul. The latest reverse jeopardised India's prospects of reaching the next Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, and the team is also set to drop to 133 on the FIFA rankings with Hong Kong gaining points and climbing up in the pecking order. It is a continuation of a series of disappointing results that the team has endured in recent years during which activities off the field grabbed more headlines than on-field performances, including the unceremonious exit of previous head coach Igor Stimac after an ugly dispute with his employers All India Football Federation . Such has been the team's woes that head coach Manolo Marquez was forced to convince Sunil Chhetri to come out of retirement a year after he called it quits in international football. However, even his comeback has not been able to lift the team out of the abyss it has found itself in recent times. The future of Manolo, who succeeded Stimac while also holding on to his job as ISL side FC Goa's coach, is also uncertain with the national team. As his wards went about fluffing the two-three clear chances that came their way, Manolo was seen expressing his frustration on the touchline. Earlier in the day, Manolo kept out veteran striker Chhetri from the starting XI. A sea of red packed the stands at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium but despite the strong home support, India did pretty well to create a few chances in the first half, even though Hong Kong enjoyed more possession. But, as has been the trend with them in recent times, the lack of finishing has again let the Blue Tigers down in the first 45 minutes. Among the opportunities that came their way before the half time break, the Indians came closest in the 35th minute but Ashique Kuruniyan shot the ball wide from a close range after Liston Colaco ran down the left to provide him a nice cross. Meanwhile, after having received medical attention after getting injured, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot but it went straight into the keeper's gloves. Hong Kong also grew in confidence as the game approached the half time. The home team could have taken the lead from a free-kick had it not been for a timely clearance by Asish Rai from goal-mouth after custodian Vishal Kaith was beaten. Both India and Hong Kong have had their moments but neither side could convert in a tightly contested first half of this crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. Kuruniyan, who has otherwise performed his job admirably on the flanks, looked to have got another chance to break the deadlock some minutes into the second half, but could not. Soon after, coach Marquez brought on India's all-time highest goal-scorer Chhetri alongside Naorem Singh in place of Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes. India created chances in the second half too, including in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte found Chhetri with a brilliant cutback inside the Hong Kong box, but the veteran striker was not able to connect it well. The result is a setback for India who came into the game after a goal-less draw against Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup qualifying match, at home in March. India have one point from two games and are last in the group, and only one team from the pool of four will qualify for the final. India will now need to win their remaining four matches, but given their inability to score, it looks improbable.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Completely Unacceptable": Parth Jindal Fumes After India Lose To 153rd Ranked Hong Kong In AFC Asian Cup Qualifier
Indian football's disaster run continued as it lost to Hong Kong in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier in Hong Kong on Tuesday. The loss has put India's chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in jeopardy. The loss adds to India's recent poor performances - loss against Thailand and draw with Bangladesh at home. India are currently 127th in FIFA ranking while Hong Kong are 153rd. The loss left Parth Jindal, owner of ISL club Benglauru FC, fuming. "This is completely unacceptable @IndianFootball - just not good enough under any circumstances - deep introspection needed by the AIFF - this is not what all of us lovers and backers of Indian football have spent our hard earned money and effort to witness - get a manager and a system that works - it's high time - there is too much effort to see a result like this," Jindal posted on X. Both India and Hong Kong have had their moments but neither side could convert in a tightly contested first half of this crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. In the injury time of the second half, The referee awarded Hong Kong the penalty after India custodian Vishal Kaith came out of the goalline and tried to palm the ball to safety, only to end up hitting Michael Udebuluzor. Pereira (90+4) stepped up to take the spot kick and shot the ball to the right of Kaith, who was also shown a yellow card for his injury-time foul. This is completely unacceptable @IndianFootball - just not good enough under any circumstances - deep introspection needed by the AIFF - this is not what all of us lovers and backers of Indian football have spent our hard earned money and effort to witness - get a manager and a... — Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) June 10, 2025 Earlier, India coach Manolo Marquez kept out veteran striker Sunil Chhetri from the starting XI. A sea of red packed the stands at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium but despite the strong home support, India did pretty well to create a few chances in the first half, even though Hong Kong enjoyed more possession. But, as has been the trend with them in recent times, the lack of finishing has again let the Blue Tigers down in the first 45 minutes. Among the opportunities that came their way before the half time break, the Indians came closest in the 35th minute but Ashique Kuruniyan shot the ball wide from a close range after Liston Colaco ran down the left to provide him a nice cross. Meanwhile, after having received medical attention after getting injured, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot but it went straight into the keeper's gloves. Hong Kong also grew in confidence as the game approached the half time. The home team could have taken the lead from a free-kick had it not been for a timely clearance by Asish Rai from goal-mouth after custodian Vishal Kaith was beaten. Kuruniyan, who has otherwise performed his job admirably on the flanks, looked to have got another chance to break the deadlock some minutes into the second half, but could not. Soon after, coach Manolo Marquez brought on India's all-time highest goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri alongside Naorem Singh in place of Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes. India created chances in the second half too, including in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte found Chhetri with a brilliant cutback inside the Hong Kong box, but the veteran striker was not able to connect it well.
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
India Go Down 0-1 To Hong Kong In Crucial 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier Match
A profligate Indian football team suffered a calamitous 0-1 defeat to hosts Hong Kong after an injury-time goal by Stefan Pereira in a crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match on Tuesday. The referee awarded Hong Kong the penalty after India custodian Vishal Kaith came out of the goalline and tried to palm the ball to safety, only to end up hitting Michael Udebuluzor. Pereira (90 4) stepped up to take the spot kick and shot the ball to the right of Kaith, who was also shown a yellow card for his injury-time foul. Earlier, India coach Manolo Marquez kept out veteran striker Sunil Chhetri from the starting XI. A sea of red packed the stands at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium but despite the strong home support, India did pretty well to create a few chances in the first half, even though Hong Kong enjoyed more possession. But, as has been the trend with them in recent times, the lack of finishing has again let the Blue Tigers down in the first 45 minutes. Among the opportunities that came their way before the half time break, the Indians came closest in the 35th minute but Ashique Kuruniyan shot the ball wide from a close range after Liston Colaco ran down the left to provide him a nice cross. Meanwhile, after having received medical attention after getting injured, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot but it went straight into the keeper's gloves. Hong Kong also grew in confidence as the game approached the half time. The home team could have taken the lead from a free-kick had it not been for a timely clearance by Asish Rai from goal-mouth after custodian Vishal Kaith was beaten. Both India and Hong Kong have had their moments but neither side could convert in a tightly contested first half of this crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. Kuruniyan, who has otherwise performed his job admirably on the flanks, looked to have got another chance to break the deadlock some minutes into the second half, but could not. Soon after, coach Manolo Marquez brought on India's all-time highest goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri alongside Naorem Singh in place of Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes. India created chances in the second half too, including in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte found Chhetri with a brilliant cutback inside the Hong Kong box, but the veteran striker was not able to connect it well. The result is a setback for India who came into the game after a goal-less draw against Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup qualifying match, at home in March. Listen to the latest songs, only on
News18
10-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
India Go Down 0-1 To Hong Kong In Crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifier
Last Updated: India lost 1-0 to Hong Kong in a 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier as Stefan Pereira scored a late penalty after a Vishal Kaith mistake. The Indian football team suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against hosts Hong Kong in a crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match on Tuesday, conceding a late goal from Stefan Pereira in injury time. Hong Kong were awarded a penalty after Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith came off his line and collided with Michael Udebuluzor while attempting to clear the ball. Pereira (90+4) converted the spot-kick, placing the ball to the right of Kaith, who received a yellow card for the foul. Earlier, India's coach Manolo Marquez had opted to leave veteran striker Sunil Chhetri out of the starting line-up. Despite strong home support at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium, India created several chances in the first half, even though Hong Kong enjoyed more possession. However, the Blue Tigers' persistent struggles with finishing continued to plague them throughout the opening 45 minutes. The closest India came to scoring before half-time was in the 35th minute when Ashique Kuruniyan missed from close range following a well-delivered cross from Liston Colaco on the left. After receiving treatment for an injury, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot that was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. As the half progressed, Hong Kong gained confidence. The home side nearly took the lead from a free-kick, but Asish Rai made a crucial clearance after goalkeeper Kaith was beaten. Both teams had opportunities, but neither could break the deadlock in a tightly contested first half of this vital 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. Kuruniyan, who otherwise delivered an impressive performance on the flanks, had another chance to open the scoring early in the second half but was unable to convert. Shortly thereafter, coach Manolo Marquez introduced India's all-time leading goal-scorer, Sunil Chhetri, alongside Naorem Singh, replacing Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes. India continued to create chances in the second half, notably in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte provided a superb cutback to Chhetri inside the Hong Kong box, but the veteran striker failed to connect cleanly. The result represents a setback for India, who entered the match following a goalless draw against Bangladesh in their opening Asian Cup qualifying match at home in March.
