India’s football campaign for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup suffered a major blow on Tuesday after a heartbreaking 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong in a Group C qualifier held at Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon. The decisive goal came in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, sinking India to the bottom of the table and pushing their qualification hopes to the brink.
Marquez: “The Dressing Room is Like a Funeral”
A visibly emotional Manolo Marquez, who coached his final game as India’s head coach, described the atmosphere in the dressing room as “like a funeral.” Speaking at the post-match conference, the 56-year-old Spaniard said, “We are not very happy. We are sad. The dressing room is like a funeral, practically.”
Although the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has yet to officially announce his departure, Tuesday marked the end of Manolo’s brief and turbulent tenure. Since replacing Igor Stimac last year, Marquez managed just one win in eight matches — a 3-0 friendly win over the Maldives in March. India also drew four and lost three under his leadership.
Despite the setback, Marquez was not entirely pessimistic. “I still think India can qualify,” he insisted, though India currently sit last in the group with just one point from two matches. Only the top team from the group will advance to the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Poor Finishing, Lost Composure
India, ranked 127 in the FIFA world rankings, were expected to dominate 153rd-ranked Hong Kong. But missed chances and lack of composure in critical moments again proved costly. “It was a very equal game,” Marquez noted. “Sometimes the team doesn’t know how to draw. If you couldn’t win the game, at least try to avoid the defeat.”
Bhutia Slams AIFF, Demands Chaubey’s Resignation
Reacting sharply to India’s performance and broader issues in Indian football, former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia demanded the resignation of AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey. “Chaubey has to resign. Change is the need of the hour,” Bhutia declared. The two were rivals in the AIFF elections in 2022, in which Bhutia lost.
The AIFF executive committee is scheduled to meet on June 29, with the national team’s recent performances topping the agenda. Chaubey is also set to address a press conference on Friday in New Delhi, where further clarity on Marquez’s exit and India’s future roadmap may emerge.
For now, India’s journey to the Asian Cup hangs in the balance — clouded by administrative uncertainty, public criticism, and a desperate need for structural reforms.
