India vs Hong Kong: Three key player battles to watch out for in AFC Asian Cup Qualifier clash

India are already been eliminated from the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

The Blue Tigers will play their last game in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers at Kochi on March 31, 2026, against Hong Kong. Both of these teams have already been eliminated, with Singapore advancing on to the main competition as winners of Group C.

When the qualifying draw was announced, it appeared that India had a relatively easy group, with all three teams having lower rankings. However, the Blue Tigers turned out to be an enormous failure by failing to win a single game and getting just two points after five games.

The encounter against Hong Kong in front of their home supporters presents an excellent opportunity for the Indian team to secure their first and only victory of the campaign and complete the qualifiers on a high note. Khalid Jamil‘s team is also in dire need of a win, as they have slipped steadily and now sit at 141 in the FIFA rankings, a drop of over 40 places since reaching the top 100 in July 2023.

The reverse meeting between the two teams resulted in a 1-0 victory for Hong Kong, signalling that this would not be an easy match and that earning three points would not be as simple as imagined. Here are three crucial battles that might determine the game’s outcome.

Everton Camargo vs Akash Mishra

Akash Mishra, who is gradually returning to full fitness following a catastrophic ACL injury that kept him out for over a year, will face a difficult task at left back against Everton Camargo, a technically sound dribbler. Everton gave up his Brazilian citizenship to represent Hong Kong in August 2023, and he has been an excellent player for the national team since then.

He has 26 goal contributions in 23 games, averaging a goal or an assist practically every game. Everton’s abilities include superb dribbling skills (as do many Brazilians) and the ability to cut in from the right wing and send out threatening strikes with his sweet left foot. Everton, who is six feet tall, often comes inside the box to play as a second striker, capitalising on his aerial advantage to score goals.

With his rapid burst of pace and movement into the box, defending against the Hong Kong right winger would be a challenging assignment, but one that Akash Mishra should be capable of. The Indian left-back must also be mindful of giving up cheap free kicks, given Everton’s threat with free kicks and dangerous crosses.

Wai Wong vs Apuia

Apuia awaits a challenging assignment in the game against Hong Kong, as he must win tackles and make critical interceptions while also maintaining possession of the football in the middle of the pitch with his calm and steady passing. He would face Wai Wong, who is expected to start as the most advanced player in the Hong Kong midfield.

Wai’s ability to play line-breaking passes, which bypass the opposition’s midfield and defenders, is one of his key specialities. He is a brilliant press-resistant midfielder, meaning he can hold onto the ball like a magnet even if the Indian midfielders go aggressively to win possession back.

Wai frequently drops deep to receive the ball and set up attacking plays for his team, and Apuia must be conscious of his own positioning to avoid leaving a vacuum in the middle of the field while rushing forward to mark Wai. The Indian midfielder must also be cautious of Wai’s late runs into the box, as the Hong Kong midfielder is renowned for making those runs and scoring a few goals.

Shinichi Chan vs Lallianzuala Chhangte

Shinichi Chan, Hong Kong’s left back or left wing back, is expected to face a formidable challenge in his country’s match against India, as he will face Lallianzuala Chhangte, one of India’s most in-form wingers and the country’s primary threat to the national team in recent years.

Chhangte has been in great form in the ongoing 2025/26 Indian Super League season, scoring in three of the six games. Despite looking threatening with his runs from the right side, Chhangte is unable to reproduce the same output for the National team.

With players like Ryan Williams and Edmund in the team, Chhangte is likely to have more opportunities in the attack, and Shinichi must ensure that he sticks to the Indian winger like glue and blocks anything he does. Given Chhangte’s abilities, even a small amount of space might result in a goal or a dangerous cross into the box.

Chhangte, on the other hand, must work harder defensively since the Hong Kong left-back is well known for making daring runs forward and sending dangerous first-time crosses for his strikers. This also gives the Indian right-winger more room in counterattacks. In either case, we’re in for a fantastic battle between these two.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.