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India Aims for AFC Asian Cup Qualification in Hong Kong After Thailand Loss

Manolo Márquez cut the squad to 25 players, sharpening tactics against a Hong Kong side bolstered by naturalised talents.

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Indian men’s national team
Physicality is one aspect that we miss out on in Indian football: Marquez after loss vs Thailand

Overview

  • India will play Hong Kong at Kai Tak Sports Park on June 10 in a third-round Group C qualifier that will decide their path to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
  • The Blue Tigers suffered a 2-0 friendly defeat to Thailand on June 4, prompting Marquez to call for improved physicality and clinical finishing.
  • India’s travelling squad excludes goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari, centre-back Mehtab Singh and full-back Subhasish Bose, reducing the roster from 28 to 25 players.
  • This marks India’s first match in Hong Kong since a 2009 friendly, with Sunil Chhetri the lone survivor from that team.
  • Marquez’s future with the national team may hinge on the outcome of the qualifier, while assistant coach Mahesh Gawali warns Hong Kong’s lineup features several naturalised players.