AFC Asian Cup qualifiers 2027: India hoping to capitalize on Kerala support to rock Hong Kong in Kochi

In 2024, when Iraq faced Japan in the Asian Cup, the country faced the finalist from the previous edition and was a clear favorite to win the tournament.

But full-time it was Iraq – with a 2-1 win – that had the last laugh. One of the key factors, as acknowledged by Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu, was the fans, who turned Education City Stadium into Baghdad as roars and chants echoed through the stadium.

The result: Iraq defeated Japan after 42 years – a stark reminder that football always belongs to those who fill its lungs with cheer.

With India’s 2027 Asian Cup hopes in shambles, it is the fans who can lift the gloom surrounding the beautiful match in the country.

Perhaps Kerala, one of India’s remaining football citadels, will welcome the Blue Tigers for the final Asian Cup qualifier against China’s Hong Kong on Tuesday.

After a brief period of misunderstandings between the Kerala Football Association and the Greater Cochin Development Authority, the match will go ahead as scheduled at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, with the kick-off scheduled for 7:00 PM IST.

A paradigm shift and a leaf from Constantijn’s book

India coach Khalid Jamil has made 14 changes to the squad from the previous match against Singapore – a clear line in the sand that the tactician is building the project from the ground up.

Among the new names are defenders Bijoy Varghese and forward Ryan Williams.

Varghese’s call-up is the perfect reward for his work in the trenches of the I-League, where he helped Inter Kashi gain promotion to the Indian Super League.

Meanwhile, Williams’ inclusion underlines a much more important paradigm shift. The Perth-born forward will make his debut as the first naturalized player since Arata Izumi in 2014.

In an ecosystem characterized by widespread naturalization and dual passports, Williams could inspire India to move with the flow rather than against it.

On the field, Jamil is expected to rely on a wider attacking line as he has chosen mobility over mass, while Muhammad Uvais and Jay Gupta have made way for Nikhil Poojary and Abhishek Singh Tekcham.

The return of Manvir Singh and Ashique Kuruniyan down the flanks will provide more pace, allowing Jamil to switch to a 4-4-2 design, a leaf from the books of former head coach Stephen Constantine. This time, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Williams would replace Jeje Lalpekhlua and Sunil Chhetri up front.

The chaos in Hong Kong is India’s advantage

The last time India and Hong Kong crossed paths, they couldn’t be further apart in fortunes.

Hong Kong had the wind in their sails and was unbeaten in their last five matches, including three wins, while India merely treaded water, beating lowly Maldives for their only win in 15 matches in 18 months.

The wheels have turned, albeit marginally. India showed signs of life under Jamil in his first assignment, finishing third in the CAFA Nations Cup and beating higher-placed Oman.

Hong Kong, on the other hand, has won just twice since then. The head coach, Ashley Westwood, has packed his bags to move to Kerala Blasters now.

Injuries have only added to the misery. Hong Kong travels without its reliable striker Matt Orr, while old warhorse Yapp Hung Fai – the record maker – is also missing between the sticks.

Stefan Pereira, who scored from the spot against India last time, is also not in the selection.

Hong Kong’s concerns do not stop there. The team’s preliminary friendly against Nepal was canceled at the eleventh hour, prompting interim head coach Roberto Losada to call it the «craziest (international) period ever.»

In Kerala, however, India finds itself on the wrong side of history. The men’s team here has played eight competitive matches and won none (2 draws, 6 losses).

But the odds weren’t in Iraq’s favor either against Japan in that Asia Cup match. And what mattered a lot was how the fandom turned the dreary into something magical.

It is here that Kerala’s raw support, reflecting its unwavering love for the game from Kochi to Doha, will have to take center stage, write a new script, for a more optimistic Asian Cup cycle and a better future in Indian football.

Published on March 30, 2026