MARGAO
India’s men’s football team, the Blue Tigers, suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to world No. 153 Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium. A late penalty from Stefan Pereira sealed the result, sending shockwaves through the Indian football community. Just three years ago, India had convincingly beaten the same opponent 4-0 — a stark reminder of the steep and systemic decline.
While the narrow scoreline may suggest a close contest, the broader implications are cause for concern. The defeat has reignited debate over the long-standing call to include Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) players in the national setup.
The Indian football fraternity, including former coaches, players, and administrators, have expressed their deep disappointment with the team’s performance and the broader state of the sport in the country.
Derrick Pereira, former India U-23 coach, stressed the need for long-term planning: "It's not about investing at the top of the pyramid. We need a strong foundation and a proper roadmap from the grassroots level. Competing with Asia’s best is possible — but only with the right mindset and people. It will take time, but we must be realistic and patient. There’s always a solution if we’re willing to find it."
Elvis Gomes, former President of the Goa Football Association, was more critical, pointing out structural flaws: "This defeat isn’t just about missing chances; it reflects deep-rooted issues. I’ve long argued for a decentralised approach to football development in India — and for that, I was sidelined by AIFF leadership. Talent in India is abundant but scattered. A top-down model won’t work. It’s time for AIFF to embrace a grassroots-driven, regional development model — or continue facing these setbacks."
The match itself was marked by wastefulness in front of goal. "We created chances but couldn’t convert them. The finishing was poor. Ashique's decision to shoot with his weaker foot inside the box shows a lack of basic technique at this level," said one ex-coach.
India's assistant coach Mahesh Gawli echoed the sentiment: "We’ll rue those missed chances. We had the opportunities to win the match but lacked composure and execution. It was a day of missed opportunities."
Despite having experienced players on the field, India struggled to break down a well-organized Hong Kong side, further fuelling frustrations over the team's tactical setup and preparation.
"It’s frustrating when you can’t capitalize. We have the players, but something is missing — maybe confidence, maybe consistency. We have to push on and create more chances in future games,” said Gawli.
