India's AFC Asian Cup qualification hopes took a major blow as they lost 0-1 to Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. Manolo Marquez's side had the chances to win, but were undone in injury time as Stefan Pereira scored a 95th minute penalty for the hosts as they earned all three points in the Group C encounter.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India have lost again, now what?
India have one point from two games in Group C, and with four games to go, have a tall task as only the group winners qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Marquez made a big call in his starting lineup, relegating Sunil Chhetri to the bench, with Ashique Kuruniyan starting in his place as India's leading frontman. India had the beating of Hong Kong in the middle of the park in the opening exchanges, although their best chance came from a set-piece. Sandesh Jhingan ran on to Brandon Fernandes' curled ball into the box, but scuffed his shot at goal, although it would have been moot, since the defender was offside.
India ought to have been 1-0 up in the 35th minute, as Ashique Kuruniyan missed a golden opportunity. Brandon did brilliantly with his press, winning the ball in the Hong Kong half, before laying it off to Liston Colaco, bursting down the left wing. A superb early cross followed, but Ashique misjudged his run and stumbled, thus sending his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Following a goalless first half, Ashique had a great shot on goal five minutes into the second half, but it flew narrowly wide. He was replaced on the hour mark by Sunil Chhetri, and the Indian legend almost fashioned a winner with a clever reverse pass to Liston in the box, but he blazed wide while off balance. Amidst all this, Vishal Kaith made a great save from Oliver Gerbig, with Asish Rai following it up and clearing off the line.
Chhetri himself could have won it late for India, after Lallianzuala Chhangte made a superb run down the right wing and cut it back at the near post. Chhetri's flick was goal-bound, but Leon Jones made a superb block to divert it away from goal.
The game looked destined to finish goalless, but a regulation long ball changed things in injury-time. Hong Kong substitute Michael Udebuluzor made a nuisance of himself in the box, running onto the long pass, while Vishal Kaith lost his head. The Indian goalkeeper charged at the ball, missed it completely and clattered right into Udebuluzor, thus conceding a nailed-on penalty. Stefan Pereira stepped up, skipped in his run-up and rolled a calm penalty past Kaith into the bottom corner, with the Indian keeper left stranded. 1-0 to Hong-Kong in the 95th minute and the Kai Tak stadium erupted in an inaugural victory for the hosts.
With Singapore leading 2-1 over Bangladesh in the other game in the group, India's hopes of qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup took a further hit - as they face the group leaders in their next game, while being bottom of Group C.
You can relive the action right here on our India vs Hong Kong live blog: