India desperately needs a win as they travel to Kowloon to face Hong Kong in the second game of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.
Hong Kong vs India (HK vs IND) Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Time: 17:30 (IST)
Venue: Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon
Hong Kong vs India (HK vs IND) Match Preview
After a hugely disappointing Asian Cup campaign and World Cup qualifiers, Hong Kong has steadied itself under Ashley Westwood since he took charge in August 2024. In the 10 games played under him, the side has lost only two games, with the last one coming against Manchester United in a friendly as part of the club’s tour to Asia, even after taking a shock lead in the game. Additionally, the side has picked up five wins and three draws in the remaining games. However, the goalless draw against Singapore in their opening qualifying game for the Asian Cup 2027 and the stalemate against 175th-ranked Nepal at home, before facing India, have not sat well with the fans. The head coach was booed with chants of ‘Westwood out’ ringing in the stadium, showing their frustration with his pragmatic defensive style of football in winnable games, despite the team largely benefiting from it. So, Westwood is under pressure to deliver in Hong Kong’s second qualifying game, as anything other than a win will fuel fans' discontent further. However, the coach who has been immensely successful in Indian football with Bengaluru FC has a good record against the Blue Tigers, having taken four points against them with Afghanistan last year and ending their dreams of making it to the third round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time.
Like Westwood, Indian team coach Manolo Marquez is under immense pressure with the side only taking one win against a lowly ranked Maldives in a friendly in the seven games in charge. The FC Goa coach was expected to revitalise the team following a disappointing end to their Asian Cup campaign and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers under former boss Igor Stimac. However, after a recent 2-0 defeat to Thailand, concerns about his future have now emerged. The Blue Tigers have already started the Asian Cup 2027 poorly, playing out a frustrating 0-0 draw with lower-ranked Bangladesh at home, forcing them to respond in the next match against Hong Kong. India dominated their last game against their opponents, winning 4-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium to secure qualification for the 2024 Asian Cup, although they have struggled in away games, having not recorded a victory since their 3-1 win in the World Cup qualifiers back in 1993. The Blue Tigers need to find the spark in themselves to take three points in this game, otherwise, their chances of an unprecedented third straight Asian Cup qualification will face a dilemma, with only the group winners making it to the tournament in 2027, hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Hong Kong vs India (HK vs IND) Team News
Hong Kong will have a fully fit squad available for the game, while India has released Hrithik Tiwari, Mehtab Singh and Subhasish Bose after their defeat to Thailand
Hong Kong vs India (HK vs IND) Predicted Lineups
Hong Kong Predicted XI
Yapp Hung; Oliver Gerbig, Leon Jones, Wang Kit; Sun Ming Him, Shinichi Chan, Chun Lok, Fernando Pedreira; Juninho, Stefan Pereira, Michael Udebuluzor
India Predicted XI
Vishal Kaith; Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Abhishek Singh; Apuia, Suresh Singh, Brandon Fernandes; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Sunil Chhetri, Ashique Kuruniyan
Hong Kong vs India (HK vs IND) Full Squads
Hong Kong
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
Coach: Ashley Westwood
India
Goalkeepers: Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh, Amrinder Singh
Defenders: Rahul Bheke, Anwar Ali, Sandesh Jhingan, Roshan Singh, Boris Singh, Ashish Rai, Abhishek Singh, Chinglensana Singh
Midfielders: Liston Colaco, Suresh Singh, Ayush Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Apuia, Nikhil Prabhu, Ashique Kuruniyan, Mahesh Singh
Forwards: Manvir Singh, Sunil Chhetri, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Suhail Bhat, Edmund Lalrindika
Coach: Manolo Marquez
Hong Kong vs India Football Head-to-head
Played - 16
Won - 4
Drawn - 4
IND won - 8
Hong Kong vs India (HK vs IND) Dream11 Prediction
Both sides are struggling to score goals and don’t carry the best form into this fixture, so a draw is a likely outcome. We predict a 1-1 result with both teams taking two points from their first two qualifying games.
Hong Kong vs India (HK vs IND) Dream11 Team Top picks
Captain Pick: Sunil Chhetri
Vice-captain Pick: Lallianzuala Chhangte, Juninho
HK vs IND Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Kaith (Cr - 7.5)
DEF: Bheke (Cr - 7.5), Ming Him (Cr - 8), Wang Kit (Cr - 7.5)
MID: Juninho (Cr - 8), Apuia (Cr - 8.5), Chun Lok(Cr - 9), Fernandes (Cr - 8), Kuruniyan (Cr - 7.5)
FW: Chhangte (Cr - 8.5), Chhetri (Cr - 9)
Vice-captain: Lallianzuala Chhangte
Captain: Sunil Chhetri
