A record-breaking number of 42,570 football fans cheered the Hong Kong national football team to a 1-0 victory over India Tuesday night in their first-ever official international "A" match on home soil at the Kai Tak Sports Park main stadium.
The AFC Asian Cup qualification game remained in a deadlock until Hong Kong's striker Michael Udebuluzor was on the receiving end of a lobbed through pass in the dying minutes of the game.
But the 21-year-old striker, currently playing for German team VfR Mannheim, was punched in the head by late-arriving Indian goalkeeper Vishal Kaith in the box, and referee Shiekh Ahmad Alaeddin pointed straight to the penalty spot.
The SAR team's veteran forward Stefan Pereira, currently playing for local league team Southern District, stayed calm and collected – sending Kaith the wrong way before slotting the ball into the net off the left post four minutes into the second half stoppage time.
Hong Kong supporters in jubilation after Stefan Pereira converts the penalty kick in stoppage time..
India was unable to penetrate Hong Kong's defense in the remaining minutes of the game and Hong Kong walked away with the 1-0 win with three crucial points, placing the team in second place in Group C with 4 points, losing only by goal difference to current group leader Singapore.
Hong Kong team captain Yapp Hung-fai thanks supporters after the match.
Skipper Yapp Hung-fai said in a post-match interview that his team has a strong desire to win the game, and exerted a lot of pressure towards the opposition in the first half.
"The grass quality is good, the sound and lighting effect were very nice as well, and with the roof closed, it created an unprecedented atmosphere," Yapp said.
"A win against India is definitely an advantage for us (to qualify from Group C), but the upcoming two matches against Bangladesh will be difficult, therefore players will have to stay focused," he added.
Bangladesh and India currently sits at third and fourth place in the group respectively with 1 point each after two games played.
Hong Kong will face Bangladesh twice – away on October 9 and at home on October 14 – before facing Singapore on November 18 and India again on March 31 next year.
But before that, Hong Kong will play Japan on July 8, South Korea on July 11 and China on July 15 in the EAFF East Asian Cup final round at the Yongin Citizen Sports Park in South Korea.
(Michael Shum)
