Overview
- India beat Hong Kong 2-1 in Kochi on Tuesday, with debutant Ryan Williams scoring in the 4th minute and Akash Mishra netting his first international goal in the 50th.
- The result leaves India bottom of Group C with five points and out of the 2027 Asian Cup, as Singapore top the group to qualify.
- Williams switched allegiance after FIFA cleared his change of association, and he left the match in the second half after limping off.
- The match brought international football back to Kochi after a decade and produced India’s first-ever victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium there.
- Following the victory, India rose five places in Wednesday’s FIFA rankings update to 136th, offering a short-term lift after a poor qualifying run.