India vs Hong Kong: Khalid Jamil savors a win but aims for more international matches in the next Asian Cup cycle

After almost three years, Indian men’s team footballers were seen smiling at full-time during a competitive match as they defeated Hong Kong, China, 2-1 in the final round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

Three coaches in the last two years, falling rankings and a sense of gloom, all forgotten in what was current coach Khalid Jamil’s first win on home soil and India’s first-ever win in Kochi.

«Yes, very happy. Everyone worked very hard and we got the desired result. All credit to the players. They worked very hard and I would like to thank the fans and players,» Jamil told reporters after the match.

The Indian team set up its national camp at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on March 23 and has been training there since then. And the coach sounded optimistic about the cohesion he saw in his side.

“They are now playing as a team, as a good team, which is important because we need to develop further,” Jamil said.

Ryan Williams set the tone early with a goal in the fourth minute.

The Perth-born striker, who switched to India because of his Indian roots on his mother’s side, became the first foreign-born player to go that route since Arata Izumi in 2014.

READ ALSO | In the interview with Ryan Williams: India talks naturalization, Indian football and more

However, he limped off the field in the final quarter, but coach Jamil was able to allay fears that he would be left out of action.

«It was his first match and he played very well. Yes, he is doing well now. He is better. That is a good thing for us,» Jamil said.

The match was truly a tale of two goalscorers, with fullback Akash Mishra having his moment in the sun.

The Mumbai City player suffered a horrific injury in 2024 and stayed out of football for 551 days until returning for the Indian Super League in the Super Cup last year.

On Tuesday he found the net for the first time in the colors of the national team. The redemption arc was complete.

«Of course I am very happy to have scored the goal. But I think it was all the team effort, the three points and the win were important. I think it is all down to the team,» Akash said.

«They pushed me, gave me confidence, even the seniors. That was very important for me. And the goal is just a blessing from God,» he added.

The current Indian men’s national team calendar ends here, and Jamil stressed that more internationals need to be arranged. In the last two periods, the Blue Tigers played only two official matches, while most countries around the world played twice in each period.

“We have to play more games,” the coach said.

Published on April 1, 2026