Kowloon (Hong Kong): The Indian football team lost 0-1 against hosts Hong Kong in an important match of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier due to a goal scored by Stephen Pereira in injury time. The referee gave a penalty to Hong Kong when India's goalkeeper Vishal Kaith came out of the goal line and tried to safely put the ball out but committed a foul against Michael Udebuluzor. Stephen Pereira (90+4) then scored a penalty to ensure Hong Kong's victory. He put the ball into the goal from the right side of Kaith. Kaith was also shown a yellow card for the injury time foul. Earlier, India coach Manolo Marquez kept veteran striker Sunil Chhetri out of the starting eleven.
Local fans had gathered in large numbers to support the hosts at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium but India performed well in the first half by creating some chances. Hong Kong, however, kept the ball in their possession for a longer time. Once again, the lack of finishing in the first 45 minutes let the Indian team down. Of the chances before the interval, the Indian team came closest to scoring in the 35th minute but Ashique Kuruniyan shot wide of Liston Colaso's cross.
After receiving medical aid due to injury, Colaso hit a powerful shot from long distance but it went straight into the goalkeeper's gloves. Hong Kong got a chance to score before the interval but Ashish Rai averted the crisis after Kai Tak's free kick was missed by Kai Tak's free kick. After the half-time, Indian coach Manolo replaced Kurunian and Brandon Fernandes with Naorem Singh and India's all-time highest goal scorer Sunil Chhetri.
India created chances in the second half as well but failed to score. Chhetri missed a pass from Lallianzuala Chhangte in the 81st minute of the match. The result is a setback for India, which had played a goalless draw against Bangladesh in its first Asian Cup qualifying match at home in March. On June 4, the team lost 2-0 to Thailand in a friendly match.
