Stoppage-Time Penalty Hands India Painful Defeat in Asian Cup Qualifier

A dramatic 94th-minute penalty condemned India to a heartbreaking 0-1 defeat against Hong Kong in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Group C qualifier at the newly inaugurated Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday. The loss leaves India winless after two games, languishing at the bottom of the group.

In front of a vociferous crowd of 42,570 fans, substitute Stefan Pereira emerged as Hong Kong’s hero, converting a last-gasp spot-kick after Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s replacement, Vishal Kaith, collided with Michael Udebuluzor while attempting to clear a lofted ball.

Referee Sheikh Ahmad Alaeddin pointed to the spot without hesitation and booked Kaith for the challenge. Pereira stepped up and coolly sent Kaith the wrong way, firing the ball into the bottom corner to ignite wild celebrations among the home supporters.

India, coming off a goalless draw against Bangladesh, began the match tentatively but gradually settled into a rhythm midway through the first half. Their strategy revolved around defensive solidity and counter-attacking through the pace of Liston Colaco, Lallianzuala Chhangte, and Ashique Kuruniyan.

The Blue Tigers’ best opportunity of the opening half came in the 35th minute. Brandon Fernandes intercepted a loose pass and set Colaco free on the left wing. His whipped cross found Kuruniyan at the far post, but the winger blazed his shot over the bar.

Hong Kong responded six minutes later through a set-piece. Soares Junior Walter’s dangerous delivery found Oliver Gerbig, whose effort was parried by Kaith before defender Anwar Ali cleared the ball under pressure.

India started the second half brightly, with Kuruniyan again finding space but failing to keep his shot on target. Head coach Manolo Márquez introduced veteran striker Sunil Chhetri after Kuruniyan went down injured, hoping to inject composure and experience in the final third.

In the 82nd minute, Chhangte’s low cut-back from the right found Chhetri, whose shot was goal-bound before a last-ditch block by a Hong Kong defender denied India a potential winner.

The game seemed destined to end in a stalemate until Kaith’s costly misjudgment deep into stoppage time altered the script. With this result, India remains on one point from two games, while Hong Kong joins Singapore at the top of the table with four points each. Bangladesh sits third with one point but a better goal difference.

India now faces a must-win situation in its upcoming fixtures to keep its Asian Cup qualification hopes alive.