The Hong Kong national football team sent a record-breaking crowd of 42,570 fans home happy after securing a dramatic 1-0 victory over India in their recent 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification match. The game, which was the first official international "A" match held at the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park, saw veteran forward Stefan Pereira convert a stoppage-time penalty to seal the win. This victory places Hong Kong second in Group C, trailing Singapore only by goal difference.
The atmosphere at the Kai Tak Sports Park was electric, with fans creating a "sea of red" as they passionately supported their team. Skipper Yapp Hung-fai acknowledged the strong desire within the team to win and their effective pressure on the opposition during the first half. He also praised the quality of the pitch, the sound and lighting, and the overall unprecedented atmosphere created by the closed roof of the stadium.
The match remained goalless until the dying minutes when Michael Udebuluzor, a 21-year-old striker playing for German team VfR Mannheim, was fouled in the box by India's goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. Pereira remained composed under pressure, slotting the ball into the net and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
While the victory was cause for celebration, Yapp Hung-fai stressed the importance of staying focused for the upcoming matches against Bangladesh, recognizing them as difficult challenges in the qualification campaign. Hong Kong is set to face Bangladesh twice in October, followed by a match against Singapore in November and a final encounter with India next March.
Adding to the excitement surrounding Hong Kong football, the city is preparing to host the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 in July. This event will feature high-profile clubs such as Liverpool FC, AC Milan, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur competing at the Kai Tak Stadium. This event promises to be a treat for football fans in Hong Kong and across the region, offering a chance to witness top-tier football action and experience the state-of-the-art facilities at the new stadium.
Looking ahead, the team is also preparing for the EAFF East Asian Cup finals in South Korea in July, where they will face Japan, South Korea, and China.
Ashley Westwood said the dramatic conclusion showed “what can be achieved when everyone comes together”. He expressed appreciation to supporters for “coming out on a Tuesday, spending their money and getting behind the team”. He said he wanted to “keep rising the standards and rising the attendances”. “We are thankful we got the result, because the lads deserved it, and all I'm bothered about is them getting their reward,” he said. “We'd have been devastated if we'd drawn.”
The coach aimed a dig at those who have accused Hong Kong players of lacking stamina. His predecessor, Jorn Andersen, had raised the issue regularly. “We are doing things properly,” Westwood said. “You've seen an intense Hong Kong side. “When I came here, people told me Hong Kong players aren't fit, they can't be intense or go for 90 minutes. Tonight, on a big pitch, a massive occasion that can drain players, we went to the final whistle and the players got their rewards. “The reason we scored was our collective pressure, desire and intensity, and the lads giving their maximum.”
