Hong Kong boss’ delight after Pereira penalty secures dramatic Asian Cup win over India
Stefan Pereira nets from spot in stoppage time to give city team vital three points in Saudi Arabia 2027 quest
The nerveless Stefan Pereira scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Hong Kong a dramatic 1-0 win over India at a cacophonous Kai Tak Stadium on Tuesday.
Pereira had been on the pitch only five minutes when he hopped and skipped to the spot, then eased his strike beyond Vishal Kaith and in off the left post. Kai Tak erupted.
Minutes later, most of the 42,570 crowd were noisily celebrating again. The result extended the city team’s record-breaking unbeaten run to a 10th match, and left them with a healthy four points from their opening two AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Hong Kong were brimming with industry and bite all night. But just as it appeared they would pay for a lack of finesse, after going 320 minutes without a goal, Ngan Cheuk-pan located fellow substitute Michael Udebuluzor’s forward run with a cute dink from midfield.
Beaten by Udebuluzor to the ball, Kaith had nowhere to go and brought down the attacker.
How the fervent home crowd would have been whipped up earlier had Manuel Bleda aimed fractionally lower from 20 yards after Juninho’s third-minute lay-off.