Hong Kong, China hosted against India at home in Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday night (10th June) for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers (Group C) fixture. Hong Kong, China beat India by 1:0.

The hosts showed early intent when, just three minutes into the contest, Walter Junior cleverly teed up Manuel Rodrigues, whose powerful right-footed effort from the edge of the area whistled narrowly over the crossbar.

Hong Kong,China continued to dominate proceedings and in the 26th minute, Raphael Merkies cut inside brilliantly from the left flank before unleashing a dipping long-range drive that the goalkeeper gathered comfortably.

The visitors responded swiftly, with the dangerous Liston Colaco testing Hong Kong,China's veteran shot-stopper Yapp Hung Fai with a speculative right-footed effort from distance that was confidently collected.

India grew into the match and in the 34th minute, Brandon Fernandes whipped in a menacing free-kick from the right wing which found Anwar Ali, but his glancing header failed to trouble the alert goalkeeper.

India squandered a gilt-edged opportunity just a minute later when Liston Colaco delivered an inch-perfect cross from the left flank, only for the unmarked Ashique Kuruniyan to inexplicably blaze his first-time effort wide from point-blank range.

Hong Kong,China nearly broke the deadlock four minutes before the interval when Walter Junior's pinpoint free-kick caused havoc in the Indian penalty area, but Oliver Gerbig's goal-bound effort during a frantic goalmouth scramble was heroically cleared off the line by a desperate Indian defender.

After a goalless first period, both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening exchanges of the second half as the midfield battle intensified.

The hosts finally carved out a decent opportunity in the 65th minute when the industrious Fernando Augusto unleashed a venomous left-footed strike from outside the area that forced the Indian goalkeeper into a spectacular flying save to tip the ball behind for a corner.

The visitors responded with a long-range missile of their own in the 71st minute, as Lallianzuala Chhangte let fly from distance, forcing Yapp Hung Fai into a smart save before the Hong Kong,China goalkeeper smothered the rebound.

India continued to press forward, with Sunil Chhetri threading a defense-splitting pass to Liston Colaco, whose angled drive flew agonizingly over from a tight angle, before Anwar Ali rose highest from a resulting corner but couldn't direct his powerful header on target.

As the clock ticked down, Hong Kong,China ramped up the pressure in search of a winner. With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Walter Junior swung in a teasing corner from the right flank, but Michael Udebuluzor’s header just gone wide.

The breakthrough finally arrived deep into stoppage time when Ngan Cheuk Pan delivered a sublime through ball that split the Indian defense, allowing Michael Udebuluzor to burst into the penalty area where he was upended by the onrushing goalkeeper. The referee pointed to the spot, and the ice-cool Stefan Pereira stepped up to confidently dispatch the penalty with a clinical right-footed finish into the bottom corner.

Hong Kong,China's resilient backline held firm during the final nervy moments to secure a hard-fought 1:0 triumph over their higher-ranked opponents, sparking jubilant scenes at the Kai Tak Stadium as they claimed a vital three points in their quest to reach the 2027 Asian Cup finals.