Hong Kong vs India

In a pivotal AFC Asian Cup 2027 third-round qualifier, India and Hong Kong, the top two teams in their four-team group, will clash in Hong Kong on Tuesday, both seeking their first victory of the tournament.

Ranked 127th, India started sluggishly with a draw against Bangladesh in March, while 153rd-ranked Hong Kong also struggled, earning just a point in Singapore.

This match marks the 25th encounter between the two sides since their initial meeting in 1951. India holds a slight edge with nine victories, compared to Hong Kong’s eight, with seven games ending in draws.

However, India’s record in Hong Kong is less impressive, with only one win—a 2-1 friendly triumph in 1957. Their most recent clash in 2022 saw India dominate with a 4-0 victory in a rain-soaked Asian Cup qualifier in Kolkata.

India enters this crucial qualifier amid a storm of fan frustration and unrest. Unconfirmed rumors swirl about head coach Manolo Marquez’s potential resignation or sacking, alongside speculation about the inclusion of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) or Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), stirred up by the AIFF president himself. A pervasive sense of doubt looms over the national team’s prospects.

A lackluster performance in a recent friendly against a weakened Thailand side did little to ease these concerns, and Marquez’s squad will need a significant performance boost to shift the narrative and restore optimism.