Latest news with #StefanPereira
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong boss' delight after Pereira penalty secures dramatic Asian Cup win over India
The nerveless Stefan Pereira scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Hong Kong a dramatic 1-0 win over India at a cacophonous Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. Pereira had been on the pitch only five minutes when he hopped and skipped to the spot, then eased his strike beyond Vishal Kaith and in off the left post. Kai Tak erupted. Minutes later, most of the 42,570 crowd were noisily celebrating again. The result extended the city team's record-breaking unbeaten run to a 10th match, and left them with a healthy four points from their opening two AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Hong Kong were brimming with industry and bite all night. But just as it appeared they would pay for a lack of finesse, after going 320 minutes without a goal, Ngan Cheuk-pan located fellow substitute Michael Udebuluzor's forward run with a cute dink from midfield. Beaten by Udebuluzor to the ball, Kaith had nowhere to go and brought down the attacker. How the fervent home crowd would have been whipped up earlier had Manuel Bleda aimed fractionally lower from 20 yards after Juninho's third-minute lay-off.
RTHK
2 hours ago
- Sport
- RTHK
HK, China beat India 1-0 in Kai Tak debut
HK, China beat India 1-0 in Kai Tak debut Hong Kong, China takes a huge step towards the finals in Saudi Arabia in 2027. Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Football Association Hong Kong, China on Tuesday won their Group C matchup against India in qualifiers for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia, beating India 1-0 in the squad's debut game at the Kai Tak Stadium. The match was played in front of the largest home crowd for a Hong Kong football match in history, with the 42,500 fans making it an amazing and feisty atmosphere. The SAR won the game with a second-half injury time penalty after Michael Udebuluzor was fouled in the box. Stefan Pereira calmly scored the winning penalty, sending the Kai Tak Sports Park into a frenzy. India had a few chances with their striker Muhammed Ashique Kuruniyan missing a point blank shot in the 34th minute. The team's legendary striker Sunil Chhetri – who came out of retirement to help his squad – played in the second half but to no avail. Group C remains incredibly open for all sides, as Hong Kong, China take a huge step towards the finals in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
News18
3 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
India Go Down 0-1 To Hong Kong In Crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifier
Last Updated: India lost 1-0 to Hong Kong in a 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier as Stefan Pereira scored a late penalty after a Vishal Kaith mistake. The Indian football team suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against hosts Hong Kong in a crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match on Tuesday, conceding a late goal from Stefan Pereira in injury time. Hong Kong were awarded a penalty after Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith came off his line and collided with Michael Udebuluzor while attempting to clear the ball. Pereira (90+4) converted the spot-kick, placing the ball to the right of Kaith, who received a yellow card for the foul. Earlier, India's coach Manolo Marquez had opted to leave veteran striker Sunil Chhetri out of the starting line-up. Despite strong home support at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium, India created several chances in the first half, even though Hong Kong enjoyed more possession. However, the Blue Tigers' persistent struggles with finishing continued to plague them throughout the opening 45 minutes. The closest India came to scoring before half-time was in the 35th minute when Ashique Kuruniyan missed from close range following a well-delivered cross from Liston Colaco on the left. After receiving treatment for an injury, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot that was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. As the half progressed, Hong Kong gained confidence. The home side nearly took the lead from a free-kick, but Asish Rai made a crucial clearance after goalkeeper Kaith was beaten. Both teams had opportunities, but neither could break the deadlock in a tightly contested first half of this vital 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. Kuruniyan, who otherwise delivered an impressive performance on the flanks, had another chance to open the scoring early in the second half but was unable to convert. Shortly thereafter, coach Manolo Marquez introduced India's all-time leading goal-scorer, Sunil Chhetri, alongside Naorem Singh, replacing Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes. India continued to create chances in the second half, notably in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte provided a superb cutback to Chhetri inside the Hong Kong box, but the veteran striker failed to connect cleanly. The result represents a setback for India, who entered the match following a goalless draw against Bangladesh in their opening Asian Cup qualifying match at home in March.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong fans aim ire at head coach Ashley Westwood after poor draw with Nepal
Hong Kong drew a heated friendly 0-0 with 10-man Nepal on Thursday, extending their record unbeaten run to nine matches – although the best that could be said for the home side's performance was that they did not lose. While the hosts were largely dominant, head coach Ashley Westwood was booed by the home supporters before and after the game, and the Englishman will be left to ponder his team's inability to break down the world's No 175-ranked team. India will provide much sterner opposition for next Tuesday's Asian Cup qualifier at Kai Tak Stadium. Perhaps a number of fans were saving themselves for that box-office clash, because just 6,092 turned up at Hong Kong Stadium, and there was a sizeable number of Nepal fans in that number. Rather than the expected phoney war, ahead of more important business for both teams, this was a competitive and watchable encounter. Hong Kong's Yue Tze-nam is sent flying during his side's game against Nepal. Photo: Elson Li It was not just opponents getting stuck into each other, either. After Stefan Pereira wastefully lifted over a 23rd-minute free-lick, Juninho aimed a verbal volley towards his teammate, who returned in kind.
