India Go Down 0-1 To Hong Kong In Crucial 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier Match
A sea of red packed the stands at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium but despite the strong home support, India did pretty well to create a few chances in the first half, even though Hong Kong enjoyed more possession.
But, as has been the trend with them in recent times, the lack of finishing has again let the Blue Tigers down in the first 45 minutes.
Among the opportunities that came their way before the half time break, the Indians came closest in the 35th minute but Ashique Kuruniyan shot the ball wide from a close range after Liston Colaco ran down the left to provide him a nice cross.
Meanwhile, after having received medical attention after getting injured, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot but it went straight into the keeper's gloves.
Hong Kong also grew in confidence as the game approached the half time. The home team could have taken the lead from a free-kick had it not been for a timely clearance by Asish Rai from goal-mouth after custodian Vishal Kaith was beaten.
Both India and Hong Kong have had their moments but neither side could convert in a tightly contested first half of this crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier.
Kuruniyan, who has otherwise performed his job admirably on the flanks, looked to have got another chance to break the deadlock some minutes into the second half, but could not.
Soon after, coach Manolo Marquez brought on India's all-time highest goal-scorer Sunil Chhetri alongside Naorem Singh in place of Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes.
India created chances in the second half too, including in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte found Chhetri with a brilliant cutback inside the Hong Kong box, but the veteran striker was not able to connect it well.
The result is a setback for India who came into the game after a goal-less draw against Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup qualifying match, at home in March.
Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
22 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Chhetri missing in list of 35 probables named by new coach Jamil for CAFA Nations Cup
Talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri has been left out of the 35 probables named by newly-appointed Indian football team head coach Khalid Jamil for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It's unlikely that he was dropped on the basis of his form in the four matches he played after coming back from his international retirement. However, it's also not known whether Chhetri himself requested not to consider him for the tournament, to be held later this month, or if he was rested as his Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC is yet to start pre-season training. Bengaluru FC recently suspended salaries for its first-team players and staff, including that of Chhetri, due to uncertainty surrounding the ISL's future. However, Jamil's list of probables includes other Bengaluru FC players like goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defenders Chinglensana Singh, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, and midfieler Suresh Singh. All India Football Federation (AIFF) officials are not willing to comment on the matter, saying "the question should be asked to the head coach". The 41-year-old Chhetri took international retirement after playing against Kuwait in June last year but made a return for national duty in the match against Maldives in March this year following a request from the then India head coach Manolo Marquez to help the team in the Asian Cup qualifiers third round. Chhetri has played four matches since then and scored once -- in the team's 3-0 win over Maldives. India drew Bangladesh 0-0 and lost to Hong Kong 0-1 in the Asian Cup qualifiers, leaving the country in a difficult position to qualify for the continental showpiece in 2027. In between India lost 0-2 to Thailand in an international friendly match. Marquez quit after the string of poor performance of the team. The players will begin training in Bengaluru from Saturday with 22 players having reported to the camp so far. The remaining 13 other players are expected to join the camp after completing their Durand Cup engagements with their respective clubs. Out of the remaining 13, seven -- Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Vishal Kaith -- are from Mohun Bagan, three -- Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, Naorem Mahesh Singh -- are from East Bengal and one -- Jithin MS -- from NorthEast United. Placed in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup, India face co-host Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1 and Afghanistan on September 4. The third-place match and the final will be played on September 8 in Hisor and Tashkent (Uzbekistan), respectively. The AIFF has urged all the clubs to release national team players for the tournament, so that the national team can prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Singapore (home and away) in October.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
ISL clubs sound alarm to AIFF of facing 'real possibility of shutting down entirely' due to ongoing crisis
A total of 11 Indian Super League clubs, including former champions Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC, signed a letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey which urged the national federation to quickly resolve the ongoing impasse over the league's Master Rights Agreement with the Football Sports Development Limited. The 2025-26 season of the Indian Super League, India's top-flight competition since 2019, could be called off entirely if the Kalyan Chaubey-led AIFF is not able to arrive at an agreement with the FSDL over the league's rights agreement soon. PTI The crisis that Indian football currently finds itself mired in threatens to take an even darker turn in the coming days, with eleven Indian Super League (ISL) clubs warning the All India Football Federation (AIFF) that they face 'the real possibility of shutting down entirely'. That is unless the AIFF is able to end its ongoing deadlock with the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) over the ISL's Master Rights Agreement (MRA) soon. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The clubs wrote a letter to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey on Friday in which they added that the impasse between the national federation and ISL organisers FSDL over the non-renewal of the MRA has 'paralysed professional football in India'. More from Football 'Over past 11 years, through sustained investment and coordinated effort, clubs have built youth development systems, training infrastructure, community outreach programmes, and professional teams that have elevated India's footballing credibility both domestically and internationally,' read the letter from the 11 clubs. 'This progress is now in imminent danger of collapse. The current standstill has created immediate and severe consequences. With operations suspended and no certainty on league continuity, several clubs face the real possibility of shutting down entirely.' The crisis surfaced after FSDL, the ISL organisers as well as AIFF's commercial partner, put the 2025-26 season 'on hold' on July 11 due to uncertainty over the renewal of the MRA, prompting at least three clubs to either pause first-team operations or suspend player and staff salaries. 'The 2025-26 ISL season is at risk of not taking place at all. This is not merely an administrative deadlock – it is an existential crisis for Indian football. We write to you in the gravest of circumstances,' the clubs wrote. 'The trust painstakingly built with fans, sponsors, investors, international footballing bodies over the past decade will be irreparably damaged if the league remains in limbo.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mohun Bagan, East Bengal decide against signing letter to AIFF The letter was signed by Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters FC, Punjab FC, NorthEast United FC, Mumbai City FC and Mohammedan Sporting. Kolkata heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal did not the sign the letter. Detailing the risk of club closures and livelihood loss, the letter said, 'More than 2000 direct livelihoods – players, coaches, medical staff, analysts, kit managers, groundsmen, administrative staff – hang in the balance, alongside countless indirect livelihoods dependent on the league. 'Clubs face a season where revenue from tickets, merchandise and other avenues will be reduced to zero. Potential sponsors have already started backing out, looking at the scenario that the ISL is in. 'This is a huge financial blow that clubs will not recover from this year and it will affect payout of salaries to players and staff in the immediate future, besides making several stakeholders contemplate a complete and permanent shut-down of their respective clubs.' The clubs said the impasse will also impact India's readiness for international matches, saying 'without a functioning league, our national team will be severely disadvantaged in upcoming AFC and FIFA tournaments'. Why Indian clubs could face ban in continental events They also said that without the ISL, they will not be able to play a minimum number of competitive matches for participation in continental competitions, thereby risking suspension of Indian clubs from AFC tournaments. 'The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) mandates a minimum number of competitive matches for participation in continental competitions. Without ISL, this requirement cannot be met, putting India at risk of suspension from all AFC and FIFA tournaments,' the clubs said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'FIFPRO, the global players' union, has already apprised FIFA of the situation, increasing the likelihood of external scrutiny and possible sanctions.' Also Read | On Thursday, the AIFF had agreed to mention the raging issue concerning the ISL on Monday. The apex court has reserved its judgement in the case relating to the draft constitution of the AIFF. The decision to apprise the SC of the crisis situation was taken after a . In fact, a reliable source said that the AIFF is willing to file a written application if the Supreme Court asks for one. 'We fully appreciate that related matters are before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. However, from the record of recent hearings, it appears that the immediacy and scale of the crisis have not been clearly conveyed to the Hon'ble Court,' the clubs said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The human cost, the threat of clubs folding, the risk of losing our place in AFC/FIFA competitions, and the reputational harm to India's footballing image demand urgent action on our part. 'We therefore respectfully request the AIFF, as the regulator of Indian football, to urgently mention this matter before the Hon'ble Supreme Court on Monday, 18 August 2025, and to append this letter to present the unified concerns of all ISL clubs before the Hon'ble Court.' The clubs said they are ready to support the AIFF in the case through their counsels though they are not parties to the proceedings before the SC. 'Immediate collective action is the only way to preserve Indian football's future, safeguard livelihoods, and protect the country's standing in the global football community. We remain committed to working alongside the AIFF to achieve a resolution.' With PTI inputs
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
AUS A vs IND A, 3rd unofficial ODI LIVE streaming info: Where to watch India women's tour of Australia?
India A faces Australia A in the third and final unofficial One-Day match on Sunday. The Indian side had secured the series win after winning back-to-back matches. Fine half-centuries from Yastika Bhatia, Radha Yadav and Tanuja Kanwar propelled it to a two-wicket victory over Australia in the second match. LIVE STREAMING INFO When is the Australia A women vs India A women 3rd unofficial One-day match? The Australia A women vs India A women 3rd unofficial One-day match will begin at 9:30 am local time on Sunday, August 17 (5 am IST on Sunday) at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane. Where to watch the Australia A women vs India A women 3rd unofficial One-day match LIVE? The Australia A women vs India A women 3rd unofficial One-day match will be streamed live on the Fancode platform.
