India gears up for Hong Kong test in AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
Seeking its first win in the tournament, India and Hong Kong, the top two-ranked sides in the four-team group, will face each other in a crucial AFC Asian Cup 2027 round three qualifier match in Hong Kong, China on Tuesday.
India, ranked 127, got off to a slow start with a draw against Bangladesh in March, while Hong Kong, China, ranked 153, could also only manage a point in Singapore.
It will be India and Hong Kong, China's 25th meeting since their first in 1951 — India leads the head-to-head with nine wins, Hong Kong, China has eight, while seven have been draws.
However, the Blue Tigers have won only once on Hong Kong, China soil, a 2-1 friendly victory in 1957. The previous meeting in 2022 went India's way as the visitor suffered a 4-0 drubbing in a rain-lashed Asian Cup qualifier in Kolkata.
Since August 2024, Hong Kong, China has been coached by Ashley Westwood, a familiar name in Indian football. The Englishman led Bengaluru FC from 2013 to 2016 and also took charge of ATK and RoundGlass Punjab FC later. He also coached the Afghanistan side that defeated India in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers last year.
Under Westwood, Hong Kong, China has only lost once in 12 matches — 0-1 to Liechtenstein in a friendly. But only two wins have come against higher-ranked opponents, Solomon Islands and the Philippines (both friendlies).
In preparation for the match against India, Hong Kong, China played a non-official friendly against Manchester United FC, which it lost 1-3 on May 30, and then a FIFA friendly against Nepal on June 5, which was a scoreless affair.
The game also marks the inaugural football match at the 50,000 seater Kai Tak Stadium, part of the Kai Tak Sports Park, the largest sports complex in Hong Kong.
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