India has defeated Hong Kong 4-0 in their final Group D match of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers third round at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday. The Blue Tigers have now qualified to play in AFC Asian Cup 2023.
Anwar Ali opened the scoring in just the 2nd minute of the game. Sunil Chhetri, who has been in an excellent form completed the 1st half with another goal. Manvir Singh and Ishan Pandita's late goals sealed the game for India.
Also read: AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Samad, Chhetri star as India beat Afghanistan in dramatic finish
India remained undefeated in Group D having won against Cambodia in the first match 2-0 and beating Afghanistan 2-1 in the second. With 9 points from 3 matches, India also topped the group points table.
After scoring a goal in this match, Chhetri levelled the goal tally of Hungary's Ferenc Puskas who has 84 international goals. Meanwhile, the 3rd highest active goal scorer Chhetri is now only 2 goals behind Lionel Messi (86 goals).
India had already qualified for the AFC Asian Cup even before this match started and this was only the first time the Blue Tigers qualified for the Asian tournament in two successive editions. India have qualified for the AFC Asian Cups in 2019, 2011, 1984, 1964 and now 2023.
Also read: AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers: Sunil Chhetri stars in India's win over Cambodia