With India dominating posession, a rare sight of goal for Hong Kong as Sun takes a snap shot. However, it goes wide of Gurpreet's goal, who is not worried. Khalid Jamil will be willing his side on to get a second goal before the break.
After a corner by Hong Kong is cleared, India break with pace at the other end. Manvir and Williams link up well on the left, and the latter finds Apuia in the middle. The midfielder has a thumping strike, but it goes wide of the post. Time for the first drinks break.
Excellent play from India, who look like a different team tonight. Chhangte wins the ball and plays it towards Williams. He returns the ball, and Chhangte then gets it back from Manvir. However, just as he is about the pull the trigger, a Hong Kong defender comes sliding in. A corner for the Blue Tigers.
Liston makes a run on the left that would have made Neymar proud. He nutmegs a Hong Kong player before holding off against two defenders. He tees up Manvir, but the attacker slips and commits a foul. Still, brilliant work from India.
RYAN. WILLIAMS. IS. HERE!!!!! What a sublime move from India down the right flank, with the ball finding Manvir. He plays a terrific low cross that evades the Hong Kong defender, and Williams hits it first time to find the back of the net. The Kochi crowd erupts in joy!!
A long throw from the right by Bheke finds i's way into the box. Three Indian players attack but fail to get a solid header on the ball. Singapore clear with some trouble, and Gurpreet then makes a clearance that turns into a shot on target.
The referee blows the whistle, and Chhangte gets the ball rolling for India to get the AFC Asian Cup qualifier underway! One last change for the Blue Tigers' to get a win in the third round against a strong opponent.
A brilliant atmosphere in Kochi as the two teams walk out of the tunnel. A good pocket of Hong Kong supporters in the stands as well. Time for the national anthems. Stay tuned for kick-off, which is just moments away.
Starting XI: Pong Cheuk Hei (gk), Jojo Alexander, Oliver Gerbig, Tan Chun Lok (c), Manuel Bleda, Wong Wai, Everton Camargo, Leung Nok Hang, Chan Shinichi, Braunshtain Barak, Sun Ming Him.
Bench: Tse Ka Wing (gk), Yip Ka Yu (gk), Jason Kam, Luis Eduardo, Lau Ka Kiu, Ngan Cheuk Pan, Lam Jordan Lok Kan, Lau Chi Lok, Lam Hin Ting, Chan Siu Kwan Philip, Wu Chun Ming, Ng Yu Hei.
Starting XI: Gupreet Singh Sandhu (gk) (c), Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Sadnesh Jhingan, Akash Mishra, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Lalengmawia Apuia, Manvir Singh, Ryan Williams, Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Liston Colaco.
Bench: Vishal Kaith (gk), Albino Gomes (gk), Roshan Singh Naorem, Rahim Ali, Farukh Choudhary, Jeakson Singh, Bijoy Varghese, Sahal Abdul Samad, Danish Farooq, Edmund Lalrindika, Nikhil Poojary, Ashique Kuruniyan.
Fixture: India vs Hong Kong
Series: AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Korchi
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM IST
Welcome to the start of our live blog covering India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers fixture against Hong Kong. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are released.
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