Five Hong Kong players to watch out for against India in AFC Asian Cup Qualifier clash

India will face a new-look Hong Kong on June 10, in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

India are guaranteed to face a stern challenge in their next AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Hong Kong. Having played out a drab goalless draw in the qualifying opener against Bangladesh, the Blue Tigers will be gunning for a big win to get their qualification campaign kick-started on the right note.

However, they face a motivated and gritty Hong Kong side that is currently managed by Ashley Westwood. The ex-Bengaluru FC coach has a reputation for transforming his teams into stubborn, efficient bodies, and Hong Kong have won seven of the 10 matches in his stint so far.

Westwood is also getting the best out of some key Hong Kong players in his team, who are going to be a menacing force against India. With that being said, here we look at the five Hong Kong players to watch out for in the upcoming clash against the Indian Football team.

5. Ngan Cheuk Pan

The 27-year-old defensive midfielder has proven himself as a sturdy figure who is definitely capable of adding that extra bit of steel to his side’s backline. He loves to sit deep in the midfield and excels in dropping back into his defensive line to frustrate opposition players. Cheuk Pan has made 13 appearances for the Hong Kong national team and seems to have become a mainstay under Westwood as well.

He will be looking to add that extra layer of protection to his backline against India. Pan will also look to hassle the Indian forwards with his crunching challenges, make possession recoveries in important areas and drive his side forward with clever forward passes.

4. Stefan Pereira

The Brazil-born player has become a mainstay in Hong Kong football over the last few years and is coming off a pretty prolific 2024-25 campaign with Southern District FC. Pereira is versatile enough to play in a variety of roles. Indeed, he can play as a winger, attacking midfielder or as a striker depending on the situation.

The 37-year-old might not be the youngest player anymore, but he has plenty of tricks up his sleeve that can terrorise the Indian players. He will be looking to use his clever movement to get into the empty pockets in the final third and create chances for teammates. Pereira will also be gunning to score his first international goal for Hong Kong by being efficient with his finishing and helping them get a positive result.

3. Yapp Hung Fai

The Hong Kong skipper remains the most experienced member of the squad heading into the India squad and has impressed in Westwood’s system so far. Yapp has kept four clean sheets in his last five international games, after managing eight clean sheets in 34 games in the 2024-25 season for Eastern FC as well.

The Hong Kong goalkeeper will need to be at his proactive, effective best against India to keep the Blue Tigers quiet in the upcoming qualifier. He will need to be really alert in his goal and showcase razor-sharp reflexes to frustrate the Indian players and keep out their shots on goal. If Fai can tap into his superhero mode with a string of efficient saves, he can inspire his players to take the fight to India and get a win.

2. Michael Udebuluzor

Michael Udebuluzor is actually the only Hong Kong player to be playing outside Asia, as he’s currently playing for a fifth division German club, VfR Mannheim. The 21-year-old striker scored four goals in 20 games in the 2024-25 campaign for Mannheim, being a quick and hard-working forward for them. He could be a key asset for Westwood in the upcoming clash against India because of his pace and efficiency in the final third.

Udebuluzor will be tasked to drag the Indian defenders out of their natural positions with his clever movement and get into the empty spaces in the final third. He will need to be clinical with his finishing to really torment India and help his side get a famous result.

1. Juninho

Juninho is coming off a pretty impressive campaign in which he scored 9 goals in 23 Hong Kong Premier League games for Kitchee FC.

The 34-year-old Brazil-born player can also play in the midfield or forward roles and has eight goal contributions (two goals, six assists) in 16 appearances for Hong Kong in his career. Westwood really needs Juninho’s creative genius to flourish against India.

The 34-year-old will be asked to be smart with his final passes and time them to perfection to send his teammates through into the danger spaces. He also needs to be prolific with his set-piece delivery and get into more goal-scoring situations to enhance Hong Kong’s clinical nature and guide them to a win.

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