Ray Sportz Web Desk: In a spirited display at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the Indian national football team secured a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Hong Kong in their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers (Third Round) encounter on Tuesday.
India got off to a dream start when debutant Ryan Williams found the back of the net in just the 4th minute, giving the hosts an early advantage and electrifying the home crowd. The early goal set the tone for the match, with India dominating possession and dictating the tempo in the opening half.
The second half saw India continue their attacking momentum, and their efforts paid off when Akash Mishra doubled the lead, finishing a well-worked move to put the hosts firmly in control. However, Hong Kong responded with resilience, pulling one goal back in the 65th minute through Everton Camargo, setting up a tense finish.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, the Indian defense held firm, with disciplined performances across the backline ensuring the hosts protected their narrow lead until the final whistle.
The victory marked India’s first win in the ongoing qualifying campaign, providing a much-needed boost in morale. However, despite the positive result, India ended their campaign at the bottom of the group standings.
The team will look to build on this performance in future fixtures as they aim to regain momentum on the international stage.

Ray Sportz Web Desk: India’s senior men’s national football team, popularly known as the Blue Tigers, have announced a 23-member squad for their upcoming AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round match against Hong Kong, China, scheduled for March 31 in Kochi.
Head coach Khalid Jamil has selected a balanced squad comprising experienced players and promising young talents as the team looks to rebuild after being ruled out of qualification for the continental tournament.
The national camp commenced on Tuesday in Kochi, with 20 players reporting initially. Defender Anwar Ali, midfielder Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, and forward Edmund Lalrindika are expected to join the squad later, following their Indian Super League commitments.
Speaking about the squad selection, Jamil emphasized the importance of long-term planning. He stated that the match presents an opportunity to integrate emerging players from the U20 and U23 setups into the senior team framework. Several young prospects are currently participating in international youth competitions, including the SAFF U20 Championship and the U23 Tri-Nation tournament.
The squad features experienced names such as goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, defenders Sandesh Jhingan and Rahul Bheke, along with attacking options like Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, and Manvir Singh.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Abhishek Singh Tekcham, Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Bijoy Varghese, Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Roshan Singh Naorem, Sandesh Jhingan
Midfielders: Ashique Kuruniyan, Danish Farooq Bhat, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad
Forwards: Edmund Lalrindika, Farukh Choudhary, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Rahim Ali, Ryan Williams
The match will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on March 31, kicking off at 7:00 PM IST.
Although India are no longer in contention for qualification, the fixture is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the team’s future as preparations begin for upcoming international competitions.

Ray Sportz Web Desk: In what will be remembered as one of the most one-sided encounters in recent Kolkata derby history, East Bengal produced a stunning performance to defeat Mohammedan Sporting Club 7–0 in today’s match.
From the opening whistle, East Bengal looked dominant, controlling possession and dictating the tempo with confidence and precision. Their attacking intent paid off early, setting the tone for a relentless display that left Mohammedan struggling to recover.
The goal-scoring spree was led by a brilliant brace each from Anwar Ali and Youssef Ezzejjari, with the latter calmly converting two penalties. Additional goals from Saúl Crespo, Vishnu PV, and Nandha Kumar completed the rout, showcasing East Bengal’s depth and attacking versatility.
Mohammedan Sporting endured a difficult outing throughout the match. Their defensive structure repeatedly broke down under pressure, and the situation worsened after they were reduced to ten men, making any comeback virtually impossible.
Statistically, the match reflected total domination. East Bengal enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created numerous scoring opportunities, registering a remarkable number of shots compared to their opponents’ minimal attempts.
This emphatic victory not only boosts East Bengal’s morale but also marks one of the biggest winning margins in the derby’s history. For Mohammedan Sporting, however, it is a result that calls for serious reflection and regrouping in the matches ahead.
As the final whistle blew, the East Bengal supporters erupted in celebration, witnessing a performance that will be talked about for years to come.