Football
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: India register first win – Highlights
Highlights from India's Men's AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Hong Kong.
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Highlights: The Indian men's football team is to returned to Kochi for the first time in a decade on a winning note as they beat Hong Kong 2-1 in their final group match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday.
The contest will be a dead rubber with both India and Hong Kong already out of contention to qualify for the continental showpiece, but the under fire hosts did well to register their first win of the competition.
Ryan Williams made his India debut and scored less than four minutes into it, while Akash Mishra scored his first international goal on his 30th appearance.
Highlights:
Live Updates
- 31 March 2026 8:35 PM IST
71' - A shot on target from Ashique
Ashique has brought in a fresh spurt of energy. He is just going at it. A shot from distance and he has got it on target as well. Encouraging signs for India.
IND 2-1 HKG
- 31 March 2026 8:34 PM IST
70' - Ryan Williams walks off!
He was walking gingerly on the pitch and now he has been called out by Khalid Jamil. Ryan Williams' successful India debut ends. He is replaced by Jeakson Singh.
Anwar Ali also has to walk off with an injury. Local lad Ashique comes in for him and the crowd erupts, chanting his name.
IND 2-1 HKG
- 31 March 2026 8:29 PM IST
65' - Hong Kong SCOREEE!
A good through ball from Hong Kong and the Indian defence is caught napping. A rare error from the hosts' defensive unit and Everton takes complete advantage.
Sandesh Jhingan and Rahul Bheke are split through as the No 11 slots it past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and into the net.
IND 2-1 HKG
- 31 March 2026 8:24 PM IST
61' - Good freekick from Liston
A free kick for India and this time its Liston Colaco with the duties. It is hit well. The ball rises over the wall comfortably and is on target. But the placement could have been better. The Hong Kong goalkeeper does well to get it in control with a calm collect.
IND 2-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 8:15 PM IST
50' - INDIA SCOREEE!
India replicate their first half success. A goal less than four minutes into the second half.
A brilliant throw in from Rahul Bheke into the box catches the Hong Kong defence by surprise. The ball catches a deflection and falls to Akash Mishra, who somehow manages to pounce and slot it into the net from an acute angle.
Mishra is off on a run. This is his first goal for India in 30 appearances!
IND 2-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 8:09 PM IST
46' - Back LIVE!
We are back LIVE for the second half. India move from right to left this time and Ryan Williams is already on a run on the left flank.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:54 PM IST
HALF TIME!
The resulting free-kick from that tackle on Liston is the final bit of play in the first half. Not much to note there as Hong Kong defence control it well after a good recovery from India following a not-so-good set piece.
India protect their one-goal advantage heading into the break. They have Ryan Williams, who scored under four minutes, to thank.
The hosts had a few other chances as well, but haven't managed to convert.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:51 PM IST
48' - Yellow card, Hong Kong!
A harsh tackle on Liston Colaco as as he threatens to run away with the ball. No 9 Manuel deservedly picks up a yellow card for Hong Kong.
IND 1-0 HKG
