The Indian football community has erupted in anger and disbelief following the national team’s shock 0-1 defeat to 157th-ranked Hong Kong in an AFC Asian Cup Qualifier on Tuesday. The loss to a team ranked 30 places lower has been widely condemned as a catastrophic result, prompting furious calls for a complete overhaul of the sport's administration and team management.

The referee awarded Hong Kong the penalty after India's custodian, Vishal Kaith, came out of the goalline and tried to palm the ball to safety, only to end up hitting Michael Udebuluzor.

Pereira (90+4) stepped up to take the spot kick and shot the ball to the right of Kaith, who was also shown a yellow card for his injury-time foul.

The result is a setback for India, who came into the game after a goalless draw against Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup qualifying match, at home in March.

This feeling of rock bottom was shared across the board. Parth Jindal, owner of Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC, did not hold back in a scathing critique of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

"This is completely unacceptable @IndianFootball - just not good enough under any circumstances - deep introspection needed by the AIFF - this is not what all of us lovers and backers of Indian football have spent our hard earned money and effort to witness - get a manager and a system that works - it’s high time - there is too much effort to see a result like this." wrote Parth Jindal.

Fans voiced their despair and frustration. One user on social media questioned the team's trajectory, asking, "Indian Football (127) team lost 0-1 to lower-ranked Hong Kong (153) in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. How much low can the Indian Football Go?"

The blame was pointedly directed at the federation's leadership

"Kalyan Chaubey has destroyed #IndianFootball completely. Hitting new lows in every match. It's the lowest phase in history. And these players don't deserve to represent India. Don't have any technical ability. They don't have the hunger and passion for the nation," wrote another user.

Commentator and analyst Joe Morrison's statement, "A new low," summed up the evening.