By Admin 
The Indian football team suffered a 0–1 defeat against host Hong Kong here on Tuesday due to Stephen Perera scored in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier in an important match of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
Referee gave a penalty to Hong Kong when India’s goalkeeper Vishal Cath came out of the goal line and tried to secure the ball but Michael sat against Udayabulujor.
Perera (90+4) then scored a goal on the penalty and ensured Hong Kong’s victory. He took the ball in the goal from the right side of Kath. Kath was also shown a yellow card for the foul of injury time.
Earlier, India coach Manolo Marques kept veteran striker Sunil Chhetri out of the early XI.
At the newly constructed Kai Tech Stadium, the local spectators gathered in large numbers in support of the hosts, but India performed well in the first half. Hong Kong, however, kept the ball in his possession for a long time.
Once again, the lack of finishing in the first 45 minutes disappointed the Indian team.
The Indian team was closest to scoring in the 35th minute of the opportunities that met before the interval, but Aashiq Kurunian killed the shot on the cross of Liston Kolaso.
After medical aid due to injury, Kolaso put a powerful shot from long distance but went straight to the goalkeeper’s gloves.
Hong Kong got a chance to score a goal before the interval, but after Kath missed the free kick, Ashish Rai postponed the crisis. After the interval, Indian coach Manolo fielded India’s all -time highest goal scorer Sunil Chhetri with Naorem Singh in place of Kurunian and Brandon Fernandes.
India also made opportunities in the second half but did not succeed in scoring goals. In the 81st minute of the match, Chhetri missed near Lalianjuala Chhangte.
This result is a setback for India, which played a goalless draw against Bangladesh in its first Asian Cup qualifying match at home ground in March.