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Ryan Williams scores the fastest-ever goal by an India debutant: just 4 minutes in vs Hong Kong.
Ryan Williams for India (X/IndianFootball)
Indian football finally has a fairytale of its own — with Ryan Williams delivering one within minutes of pulling on the blue shirt.
Making his debut for India in a 2-1 win against Hong Kong in their final AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers clash, the Australian-born winger didn’t take long to announce himself.
In fact, he needed just four minutes.
And, that’s all it took for Williams to etch his name into the record books.
A Dream Start
Latching onto a rapid counter-attack, Williams coolly finished a move set up by Manvir Singh, giving India an early lead and scripting history in the process.
Williams’ fourth-minute strike is now officially the fastest goal ever scored by a debutant in Indian men’s national team history.
More Than Just a Goal
With the national team struggling for consistency and direction, Williams’ arrival has been viewed as a potential turning point.
Born in Australia, the winger made a significant personal sacrifice: giving up his Australian citizenship to fully commit to India.
And while this fixture against Hong Kong may have been a dead rubber in terms of qualification, it suddenly felt like something more: a glimpse into the future.
A Brief But Bright Outing
Williams’ night, however, wasn’t without concern. After a lively performance, he was substituted in the 69th minute with what appeared to be an injury.
Yet, India found a way to hold onto their horses — thanks to Akash Mishra’s 50th-minute goal — and secured the win in Kochi, marking Khalid Jamil’s first win on home soil as the head coach of India.
March 31, 2026, 21:04 IST
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