Difficulty level: Very hard

Kolkata, June 13

A Sunil Chhetri-inspired India would look to end the final leg of the Asian Cup qualifiers on a high when they face Hong Kong in a battle for the top spot in Group D here tomorrow.

With two wins each, both teams have six points but the Jon Anderson-coached Hong Kong are ahead of India on goal difference. Tomorrow’s match would determine the direct qualifiers for the next year’s 24-team continental finals. Only the winners of the six qualifying groups will advance directly into the tournament, and they will be joined by the five runners-up with the best record in the competition.

So, even a defeat or draw tomorrow won’t mean the end of the road for India or Hong Kong — they can still qualify as one of the five best second-placed teams.

First place in the group would take India into the finals for the second successive time, and fifth time overall. Hong Kong, on the other hand, are eyeing their first Asia Cup qualification since 1968.

Ranking-wise, India (106) may be ahead of Hong Kong (147) but the latter have displayed the best attacking and defensive play among the four Group D teams so far.

While Hong Kong have easily outclassed their opponents, India have stuttered along. After a patchy show against Cambodia, during which Chhetri scored a double, it took an injury-time winner by Abdul Sahal Samad to seal three points against Afghanistan.

Another player who has impressed is Ashique Kuruniyan, who has been brilliant with his speed and control. “The three points that we got against Cambodia will mean nothing if we don’t get three points against Hong Kong,” India coach Igor Stimac said today. “We are at the point zero at the moment. We played well, that’s why we made it look easy. Of course, Hong Kong will be a different challenge.”