Can India and Hong Kong Ignite Their AFC Asian Cup Qualifying Campaign at Kai Tak Stadium?

Kowloon (Hong Kong), June 8 (NationPress) In an exciting clash, India and Hong Kong will meet in the third round of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers on Tuesday at the Kai Tak Stadium.

India, positioned in Pot 1 and currently ranked 127th, had a sluggish start with a draw against Bangladesh back in March. On the other hand, Hong Kong, placed in Pot 2 and ranked 153rd, also ended their match against Singapore with a draw, leaving all four teams in the group with no clear leader after the opening matchday.

June 10 marks a historic moment for Hong Kong as this match is pivotal for their aspiration to qualify for only their second AFC Asian Cup in 59 years. Additionally, this match will be the first-ever football event held at the impressive Kai Tak Stadium, which boasts a capacity of 50,000 and is part of the newly developed Kai Tak Sports Park, the largest sports complex in Hong Kong. With a retractable roof and an investment of HK$30 billion, this venue is designed with a flexible pitch system suitable for various sports and entertainment events.

This matchup will be the 25th encounter between India and Hong Kong since their inaugural meeting in 1951. India currently leads their historical rivalry with nine victories, while Hong Kong has eight wins, alongside seven matches ending in draws. Notably, the Blue Tigers have only triumphed once on Hong Kong's turf, achieving a 2-1 friendly win in 1957.

The last confrontation in 2022 is still vivid in many memories, where India suffered a 4-0 defeat during a rain-soaked Asian Cup qualifier in Kolkata. Defender Sandesh Jhingan emphasized that the past is irrelevant and that they must focus on the present.

"While that game had a comfortable scoreline, Hong Kong has made significant changes since then. They have a new coach and numerous new players, so it won't be an easy match, and we must not become complacent or underestimate them.

"Every international match is challenging, particularly on their home ground. We are preparing thoroughly, and our objective is to secure maximum points on Tuesday," stated the 31-year-old.

Since August 2024, Hong Kong has been under the guidance of Ashley Westwood, a well-known figure in Indian football. The Englishman previously managed Bengaluru FC from 2013 to 2016 and also led ATK and RoundGlass Punjab FC. He coached the Afghanistan team that defeated India in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last year.

Under Westwood's leadership, Hong Kong has only faced one loss in their last 12 matches, a narrow 0-1 defeat to Liechtenstein in a friendly. However, they have secured only two victories against higher-ranked teams, namely the Solomon Islands and the Philippines, both in friendly matches. To prepare for the upcoming game against India, Hong Kong played a non-official friendly against Manchester United FC, losing 1-3 on May 30, followed by a FIFA friendly against Nepal on June 5, which ended in a goalless draw.

Lallianzuala Chhangte expressed his views on the challenge posed by Hong Kong. "Facing Hong Kong is a significant challenge due to their solid defensive organization, and we are also familiar with their coach who has substantial experience in India.

"Hong Kong is an effective counter-attacking team, and we must be mindful of that. We have our strategy in place, and it is crucial to execute it well. If we approach the game with the right mindset, attitude, and determination, victory is achievable," said the winger, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Sunday.

Apart from the new coaching staff, the Hong Kong team also includes several newly naturalized and foreign-born players. Among these are forwards Juninho and Stefan Pereira, midfielder Fernando, and defender Dudu, all originally from Brazil. Additionally, Spain-born forward Manolo Bleda and Japan-born midfielder Sohgo Ichikawa have recently made their debuts for Hong Kong.

Among the seasoned players are goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai, who has accumulated over a century of caps, as well as defenders Sun Ming Him, Yue Tze Nam, and Tsui Wang Kit, all of whom compete in the Chinese Super League, along with midfielder Tan Chun Lok. However, the majority of the squad plays club football in the Hong Kong Premier League for teams such as Kitchee SC, Southern District, Lee Man FC, Eastern FC, and current champions Tai Po FC.

When is the match between India and Hong Kong scheduled?

The India vs Hong Kong AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, Third Round match is set for June 10, Tuesday, at 5:30 PM IST.

Where will the match take place?

The India vs Hong Kong match will be held at Kai Tak Stadium.

How can fans watch the match?

The India vs Hong Kong match will be streamed live on the FanCode app and website.