India concede late penalty to go down 0-1 to Hong Kong in Asian Cup Qualifier

India lost another game in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier, this time in a calamitous 0-1 loss to hosts Hong Kong on Tuesday.

After Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith stepped out of the goalline and attempted to palm the ball to safety but instead struck Michael Udebuluzor, the referee gave Hong Kong the penalty.

For his injury-time foul, Kaith was also issued a yellow card, while Pereira (90+4) advanced to execute the spot kick and blasted the ball to Kaith`s right.

90+4` Score Update

India go down to Hong Kong, conceding from the spot in the dying moments of the match!

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Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri was earlier kept out of the starting XI by India coach Manolo Marquez.

Although Hong Kong had more possession in the first half, India performed admirably to generate a few opportunities in the brand-new Kai Tak Stadium, which was filled with a sea of red in the stands, despite the overwhelming home support.

However, as has been the case with them lately, the Blue Tigers were once more let down by the absence of finishing in the first 45 minutes.

The Indians came closest to taking advantage of one of the opportunities that came their way before the half-time break in the 35th minute, but Ashique Kuruniyan missed the goal by a wide margin from close range after Liston Colaco ran down the left to give him a nice cross.

Colaco, however, fired a strong long-range strike that went directly into the goalkeeper`s gloves after getting medical treatment for his wounds.

As the game drew near halftime, Hong Kong`s confidence increased as well. After custodian Kaith was beat, Asish Rai made a timely clearance from the goal-mouth, preventing the home team from seizing the advantage with a free kick.

In the first half of this vital 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier, both India and Hong Kong had their chances, but neither team was able to score.

A few minutes into the second half, Kuruniyan seemed to have another opportunity to break the stalemate, but he was unable to, despite having otherwise done a fantastic job on the wings.

Not long after, coach Manolo Marquez replaced Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes with India`s all-time leading scorer Sunil Chhetri and Naorem Singh.

In the second half, India also produced opportunities, such as the one in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte made a beautiful cutback inside the Hong Kong box to find Chhetri, but the seasoned striker was unable to make a good connection.

After a goalless draw against Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup qualifying match at home in March, India`s performance is a setback.

This article first appeared on Mid Day