Hong Kong Vs India: The Hong Kong football team is set to host India on Tuesday, 10 June 2025 as a part of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers campaign. This will be the first time that the two sides will clash after 14 years.
After playing a goalless draw against the visiting Nepal team on June 5, Hong Kong will look to prevail over India who were held to a 0-0 draw by Bangladesh in their opening clash of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Under coach Ashley Westwood, someone with an acute knowledge of how Indian football works, the Hong Kong side will look to explore the chinks in India’s armour.
Can Ashley Westwood Guide Hong Kong To Victory
Hong Kong have made admirable progress in their performances since Ashley Westwood took over the team in late August, 2024. The team has won seven out of their last 10 competitive matches under him.
They recently faced Manchester United in a non-official friendly game. Hong Kong actually took the lead in the game before going down to a 3-1 loss. In their last three games, they have managed two draws.
That included a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Singapore in their first clash of 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, showcasing a lot of grit and stubbornness to keep the clean sheet. Hong Kong’s most recent game saw them play out a 0-0 draw against Nepal ahead of the qualifier against India.
Ashley Westwood has observed Indian football up close as he coached India over the last decade or so. The Englishman got his major breakthrough as a coach as the Bengaluru FC head coach from 2013-2016. During that period, he transformed the newly created side into one of the top football clubs in Indian football. He helped them win two I-League titles in the space of three seasons, making them play some clinical football and also won two FPAI Best Coach of the Season awards.
The 48-year-old worked as a sporting director and caretaker manager for ATK (Atlético de Kolkata) in the 2017-18 season. He returned to Indian football scene in 2021, taking charge of the Roundglass Punjab FC side for the 2021-22 I-League campaign. Westwood also had a stint as the Afghanistan national team coach for a year from 2023-2024, before taking up the Hong Kong job last year.
Westwood has made the Hong Kong side a stable team in his short period. In the 10 matches under them, Hong Kong have won seven games and only suffered one loss. They have averaged 2.20 points per match under him, scoring 19 goals and only conceding three goals.
His strategy of 4-4-2 formation where one centre-back acts like a ‘sweeper’ and his midfield is in a diamond shape has helped the team with more defensive stability and counterattacking abilities.
They will be looking to defend deep to frustrate the Blue Tigers and close down all the spaces for them.
Hong Kong can also be expected to be a menacing threat in set-pieces or on counter-attacks because of their variety of bodies in midfield. They will not be willing to sit back and just sustain pressure, but also look to regain possession in key areas and burst forward in numbers.
Considering how Westwood knows the strengths and weakness of these Indian football team players, he will ensure that his side gives a tough fight to India.
Also Read: AFC Qualifiers: Indonesia Pip China, Keep FIFA World Cup 2026 Dream Alive
Hong Kong vs India: All-time head-to-head record
The upcoming fixture will be the sixteenth clash between India and Hong Kong. India has emerged victorious on eight occasions while Hong Kong have won four and the remaining four games have ended in a draw.
Total matches played: 16
India wins: 8
Draws: 4
Hong Kong wins: 4
