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 7:49 PM IST
45' - Four minutes added
Four minutes added to the clock at the end of the first half. Hong Kong are slowly growing into the contest as India's constant attacking pressure has now gone down a notch.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:35 PM IST
33' - India in control
India are in complete control of the proceedings. They are dictating the tempo and have easily enjoyed at least 60% of the possession until now.
Can the Blue Tigers maintain this flow for remainder of the match?
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:31 PM IST
28' - Good clearance from Rahul Bheke
A freekick for Hong Kong from a good position. The set piece is, however, far from best. Rahul Bheke, in the Indian wall, doesn't even need to move much to clear it away with a header.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:28 PM IST
26' - Apuia goes wide!
Ryan Williams with a cross from the left this time, but it is intercept. The ball rolls to Apuia, who takes the shot from a distance. For a moment, it looked threatening. But it doesn't curl in enough. Goes wide of the far post.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:27 PM IST
23' - Ryan Williams is bringing the Indian attack alive
Some good skills shown on the right from Williams before he finds space to find the ball to Chhangte. The latter cuts past two defenders and takes a shot. Its hit straight to the goalkeeper.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:20 PM IST
17' - A good chance for India
A good pass from Ryan Williams to Manvir on the right. The latter puts it on a rushing Chhangte on first touch. Chhangte puts in a dive for deflection, but it is blocked by the Hong Kong defence.
That was a good chance for India to double their lead.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:17 PM IST
15' - Freekick for India
A freekick for India and Chhangte lobs it over the wall. It wasn't very pacy, but none of the Indians seemed to be interested in getting to the ball either. Rolls past the baseline.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:12 PM IST
10' - The Kochi crowd is coming alive
Good energy from the crowd in Kochi. They are singing "Vande Mataram" in unison as India continue to press forward with intent.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:08 PM IST
4' - RYAN WILLIAMS SCORESSS!
WHAT A START FOR INDIA!
A good run on the right flank and Manvir Singh puts the ball in front of goal. Ryan Williams makes no mistake. The ex-Australian has scored on debut. It took him less than four minutes.
And look at the celebration. He is off on a run and lets out a loud roar from the sidelines as the stadium erupts.
IND 1-0 HKG
- 31 March 2026 7:06 PM IST
3' - A shot on goal from Gurpreet?
Hong Kong on a low intensity counter. Indian defence is unbothered? But Gurpreet Singh Sandhu comes way out of the penalty box and launches an aerial ball. Caught by the Hong Kong goalkeeper at the other end.
The first shot on goal is from the goalkeeper.
IND 0-0 HKG
