Unbeaten Hong Kong Dare Winless India in AFC Qualifiers Thriller

Get ready for a pulse-pounding showdown as unbeaten Hong Kong challenge a winless India in a do-or-die AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers clash on June 10, 2025. This Group C Matchday 2 battle, set to ignite Hong Kong’s dazzling Kai Tak Stadium, promises high stakes and fierce action as both teams chase a crucial edge.

India Vs Hong Kong Asian Cup Qualifers 2023 (AIFF)

Venue and Kick-Off

Detail	Information
Date	June 10, 2025
Time	8:00 PM Hong Kong Time (5:30 PM IST)
Venue	Kai Tak Stadium, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Competition	AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers, Group C
FIFA Rankings	India: 127th, Hong Kong: 153rd

Hong Kong’s new 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium, boasting a retractable roof, hosts its first football spectacle. Confirmed by AFC, this shift from the old Hong Kong Stadium marks a historic moment.

Confirmed Squads

India (25-Man Squad)

Coach Manolo Márquez has locked in a 25-man squad after a tough friendly:

• Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Amrinder Singh

• Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Anwar Ali, Naorem Roshan Singh, Boris Singh Thangjam, Ashish Rai, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Chinglensana Singh Konsham

• Midfielders: Liston Colaco, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Ayush Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Lalengmawia Ralte, Nikhil Prabhu, Ashique Kuruniyan, Naorem Mahesh Singh

• Forwards: Sunil Chhetri (captain), Manvir Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Edmund Lalrindika

Team News: Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is out, with Vishal Kaith tipped to guard the net. Defenders Subhasish Bose and Mehtab Singh, plus keeper Hrithik Tiwari, were axed after the Thailand game, shaking up the backline.


Hong Kong (24-Man Squad)

Coach Ashley Westwood rolls out a 24-man squad, blending steel and skill:

• Goalkeepers: Yapp Hung Fai, Tse Ka Wing, Oleksii Shliakotin

• Defenders: Tsui Wang Kit, Oliver Gerbig, Leon Jones, Dudu, Shinichi Chan, Yue Tze Nam, Sun Ming Him, Vas Nuñez

• Midfielders: Nicholas Benavides, Ngan Cheuk Pan, Fernando, Sohgo Ichikawa, Mahama Awal, Tan Chun Lok

• Forwards: Juninho, Lau Ka Kiu, Manuel Bleda, Ng Yu Hei, Stefan Pereira, Michael Udebuluzor, Wong Ho Chun

Team News: Veteran Yapp Hung Fai (100+ caps) anchors the side, joined by naturalized aces Juninho and Stefan Pereira. Uncapped striker Lau Chi-lok is sidelined as Westwood bets on experience.

Recent Form & Key Results

India

• AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Drew 0-0 vs. Bangladesh (home, March 2025)

• Friendly: Lost 0-2 to Thailand (June 4, 2025) – goals by Ben Davis (8’) and Poramet (59’)

Winless in two, India’s Blue Tigers are clawing for a spark. The Thailand defeat laid bare defensive cracks and a quiet attack, ramping up the heat on Márquez.

Hong Kong

• AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Drew 0-0 vs. Singapore (away, March 2025)

• Friendlies: Beat Macau 2-0 (early 2025), Drew 0-0 vs. Nepal (June 5, 2025)

Hong Kong ride a 9-match unbeaten wave under Westwood, oozing confidence. One point in qualifiers fuels their fire to strike at home.

Tactical Insights & Formations

India (Coach Manolo Márquez)

Márquez leans on a possession-heavy 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1,

• 4-3-3:

• 4-2-3-1:
  
  
  
  

India aim to boss the ball and hit the flanks, but a goal drought raises stakes for set-pieces and sharp finishes.

Hong Kong (Coach Ashley Westwood)

Westwood opts for a tight 3-4-3 or 5-4-1, built to soak pressure and strike fast:

• Defense: A sturdy back three or five, anchored by Yue Tze Nam and Oliver Gerbig.

• Midfield: Wing-backs like Sun Ming Him fuel counters, with Fernando pulling strings.

• Attack: Juninho and Stefan Pereira lurk to exploit gaps.

Hong Kong will dig in, cede possession, and pounce on breaks or set-pieces.

Key Players to Watch

India

• Sunil Chhetri: The scoring touch ignite India’s hopes.

• Sandesh Jhingan: A defensive titan, his aerial strength and grit are crucial.

• Lallianzuala Chhangte: The fleet-footed winger, a 2022 hero vs. Hong Kong, can shred defenses.

• Vishal Kaith: Stepping up in goal, his saves could be game-changers.

Hong Kong

• Yapp Hung Fai: The 100-cap keeper’s poise steadies the back.

• Fernando: The Brazilian-born captain’s vision and set-pieces drive Hong Kong.

• Juninho & Stefan Pereira: Swift, lethal forwards ready to sting on the counter.

• Sun Ming Him: A tricky winger whose runs and crosses test India.

Head-to-Head Record

Statistic	Details
Matches	25 (since 1951)
India Wins	9
Hong Kong Wins	8
Draws	7
Last Clash	India 4-0 Hong Kong (2023, Kolkata, AFC Qualifiers)

India edge the rivalry 9-8 across 25 duels, with 7 draws. A 4-0 rout in Kolkata (2023) boosts India, but a lone 2-1 win in Hong Kong (1957) shows the away challenge.

Group C Context & Significance

• Qualification: Only the Group C winner grabs a 2027 AFC Asian Cup spot—no lifeline for second place.

• Standings: India, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh sit tied at 1 point after opening draws.

This clash is a game-changer. A win rockets one team toward the top; a draw keeps the group a fiery four-way scrap. Every moment counts.

Conclusion

Unbeaten Hong Kong dare winless India in a red-hot AFC Qualifiers thriller on June 10, 2025, at Kai Tak Stadium. India, itching to snap a dry spell, bank on Sunil Chhetri and Sandesh Jhingan to turn the tide. Hong Kong, riding a 9-match unbeaten surge, counter with a tight defense and lethal breaks. With Group C deadlocked, this battle could light the path to the 2027 Asian Cup. Buckle up for drama!