India national football team signed off their AFC Asian Cup qualifiers campaign with a spirited 2-1 victory over Hong Kong national football team, delivering a performance full of attacking intent and pride at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.
It took just four minutes for debutant Ryan Williams to make an unforgettable impression. Latching onto a precise attacking move, he guided the ball into the net with his very first shot in international football, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and giving India a dream start.
Despite having nothing at stake after missing out on qualification for a third consecutive Asian Cup, India played with purpose and freedom under head coach Khalid Jamil. Tactical tweaks, including pushing Anwar Ali into midfield and deploying attacking full-backs, gave the hosts a dynamic edge throughout the first half.
The attacking trio of Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, and Williams proved particularly effective. Chhangte orchestrated play down the right flank, often dropping deep to create space, while Manvir’s pace stretched the Hong Kong defence. Their early combination play directly led to the opening goal, showcasing the impact of training-ground preparation.
India continued to dominate after the break and doubled their lead in the 50th minute. A long throw from Rahul Bheke caused chaos in the box, and Akash Mishra reacted quickest, smashing the ball into the roof of the net for his maiden international goal.
The atmosphere in the stadium intensified as fans rallied behind the team, sensing a comfortable finish. However, a momentary lapse in concentration allowed Everton Camargo to pull one back in the 65th minute, after beating Sandesh Jhingan and slotting past goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Hong Kong pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Gurpreet stood firm with two crucial saves to preserve India’s lead. The win not only ended India’s campaign on a positive note but also avenged their earlier defeat in the reverse fixture.
For Jamil, it marked a significant milestone—his first home victory as national team coach—while for Williams, it was a debut to remember, one that could signal the arrival of a new attacking force for India.
