New Delhi: The Indian football team is gearing up for a crucial encounter against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Round 3 qualifiers, with both sides still seeking their first win in the group. The match, set to take place on Tuesday at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium in Kowloon, promises to be a high-pressure clash, especially with all 50,000 tickets reportedly sold out—a new record for Hong Kong football.
India, ranked 127th and placed in Pot 1, managed only a draw against Bangladesh in their opening match in March. Similarly, 153rd-ranked Hong Kong, from Pot 2, were held to a draw by Singapore, leaving Group C wide open after the first matchday.
The fixture marks a historic occasion for Hong Kong football. Not only is it a pivotal step in their pursuit of just a second AFC Asian Cup qualification in nearly six decades, but it is also the inaugural match at the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium. Part of the HKD 30 billion Kai Tak Sports Park, the 50,000-seater arena features a retractable roof and a flexible pitch system, making it a landmark venue for sports and entertainment.
India and Hong Kong share a long footballing history, having met 24 times since 1951. India leads the head-to-head with nine wins, while Hong Kong has eight, and seven encounters have ended in draws. However, India has struggled on Hong Kong soil, with their only win there coming in a 1957 friendly. The two sides last met in 2022, where India won convincingly 4-0 in Kolkata, but defender Sandesh Jhingan has warned against underestimating their opponents this time.
“That was a different team. Since then, they’ve got a new coach and a revamped squad,” said Jhingan. “It won’t be easy. Every international match, especially away from home, is a tough test. We’re preparing well and aiming for full points.”
The Hong Kong side is now managed by Ashley Westwood, a name familiar to Indian football fans. The Englishman previously coached clubs like Bengaluru FC, ATK, and RoundGlass Punjab FC, and also managed Afghanistan when they stunned India in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Since taking charge in August 2024, Westwood has overseen just one loss in 12 matches—a narrow 0-1 defeat to Liechtenstein. However, their victories against higher-ranked opponents have been limited to friendlies against the Solomon Islands and the Philippines.
In preparation for the India clash, Hong Kong played a non-official friendly against Manchester United FC (1-3 loss) and a goalless FIFA international friendly against Nepal.
Indian winger Lallianzuala Chhangte, who turned 28 on Sunday, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “They’ve got a solid defensive setup and are very sharp on the counter. Their coach knows Indian football well. We have a plan and if we execute it with the right mindset, we can win,” he said.
Hong Kong’s revamped lineup includes several naturalised and foreign-born players such as Brazilian-born forwards Juninho and Stefan Pereira, midfielder Fernando, and defender Dudu. Spanish-born striker Manolo Bleda and Japanese-born midfielder Sohgo Ichikawa have also recently debuted. Alongside them are experienced names like goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai and defenders Sun Ming Him and Tsui Wang Kit, who play in the Chinese Super League.
Most of Hong Kong’s squad play in the domestic Premier League for clubs like Kitchee SC, Southern District, Eastern FC, Lee Man FC, and reigning champions Tai Po FC.
With both teams eager to notch their first win in the group and stay in contention for Asian Cup qualification, the high-stakes showdown promises to be a memorable one in Kowloon.
