KOCHI: Australian-born Ryan Williams made a dream debut for India national football team, scoring in the fourth minute to set up a 2-1 victory over Hong Kong national football team in an inconsequential Asian Cup qualifying match on Tuesday.
Akash Mishra added India’s second goal in the 50th minute—his first at international level—helping the Khalid Jamil-coached side secure their first win of the third qualifying round.
Already out of contention for the continental tournament, India concluded their campaign at the bottom of Group C with five points, registering one win and two draws. Everton Camargo scored a consolation goal for Hong Kong in the 65th minute.
India had earlier lost 0-1 to Hong Kong in the reverse fixture on June 10 last year in Kowloon. Meanwhile, Singapore national football team, who defeated Bangladesh national football team 1-0 earlier in the day, topped Group C with 14 points from six matches to qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
