Kuruniyan Messes Up India’s Goal-Scoring Chance Against HK
The Indian football team’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier match against Hong Kong on Tuesday was a nail-biter, with both teams giving it their all on the pitch. However, the Blue Tigers’ winger Ashique Kuruniyan’s blunder in the first half proved to be a costly mistake, as it denied them a golden goal-scoring opportunity.
The match, played at the Mong Kok Stadium in Kowloon, saw India start strong, with Kuruniyan being the man of the moment. The winger was given an incredible pass inside the box, with the goal right in front of him. It was a chance that even the most inexperienced of players would have taken with both hands. But not Kuruniyan.
As the camera panned to Kuruniyan, he seemed to hesitate for a fraction of a second before releasing the shot. The ball hit the turf and went off target, leaving the Indian fans in the stadium stunned. It was a moment that would have been etched in the memory of the fans forever, had it gone in.
The miss was a huge blow to India’s chances of taking the lead in the match. Hong Kong, known for their defensive prowess, were able to weather the storm and even had a few counter-attacking opportunities of their own. The score remained goalless at the end of the first half, much to the frustration of the Indian players and fans.
India’s head coach, Igor Stimac, was visibly disappointed with Kuruniyan’s miss. Speaking to the media after the match, Stimac said, “We had a great opportunity to take the lead, but unfortunately, Ashique missed the chance. It’s a big disappointment for us, but we can’t dwell on it. We need to move on and focus on the next match.”
Stimac was right; dwelling on the mistake would only lead to more frustration and negative emotions. India needed to regroup and refocus for the second half. The Blue Tigers did just that, coming out with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.
The second half saw India dominating possession and creating more scoring chances. However, their lack of finishing prowess continued to haunt them. It wasn’t until the 85th minute that India finally managed to take the lead, courtesy of a stunning goal from striker Sunil Chhetri.
The goal was a moment of pure brilliance, with Chhetri controlling the ball with his chest before unleashing a powerful shot that left the Hong Kong goalkeeper with no chance. The Indian fans, who had been patiently waiting for their team to score, erupted in joy, celebrating what they thought was the winning goal.
However, Hong Kong had other plans. The home team pulled one back in the 90th minute, courtesy of a penalty conversion by striker Mattias Kasai. The match ended 1-1, with India taking a crucial point from the encounter.
While the result was a moral victory for India, the Kuruniyan miss would continue to haunt them. It was a moment that could have changed the course of the match, but it was not meant to be. As the Indian players left the pitch, you could sense the disappointment and frustration in the air.
Despite the disappointment, India’s performance against Hong Kong was a positive step forward. The team showed grit, determination, and a never-say-die attitude, which are all qualities of a true champion. As they prepare for their next match, they will be looking to build on this performance and create more scoring chances.
For Kuruniyan, the miss will be a tough one to forget. It’s a reminder that in football, even the smallest of mistakes can have a huge impact on the outcome of the match. But it’s also a chance for him to learn and grow from his mistake, and come back stronger in the next match.
As the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers progress, India will face tougher opposition and more challenging matches. But with a team that’s willing to learn from its mistakes and work together, the Blue Tigers can achieve great things.
