“The dressing room is like a funeral site,” said Indian football head coach Manolo Marquez (in pic) as he struggled to explain the 0–1 loss to Hong Kong here, even though he remained optimistic about the team’s chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.India conceded in the fifth minute of stoppage time on Tuesday, slumping to a second straight goalless outing in Asian Cup qualifiers, jeopardising their chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup.“...We are not very happy. We are sad. The dressing room is like a funeral, practically,” Marquez said when a question on the future of the team came up, insisting that it was not the time to dwell on that aspect.“...But I still think that India has possibilities to qualify,” he declared nonetheless in the post-match press conference.Ranked 26 places above their opponents in the FIFA charts, the Indians were undone by poor finishing and lack of composure in key moments.India should have taken the lead in the 35th minute when Ashique Kuruniyan misjudged the delivery and fluffed a golden chance from close range.“The game is easy to speak. Two teams fighting and that’s all. Without too many chances. I think both teams defended both with order and one action. This is football,” he said.
