Roberto losada

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia: It's been 3,654 days since the Indian men's national team last played in Kochi. The wait of 10 years and two days for the Kerala faithful will come to an end when the Blue Tigers take on Hong Kong, China, in their last Group D clash of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.

On March 29, 2016, a Sandesh Jhingan header had put India ahead against Turkmenistan, but the visitors responded with a couple of second-half goals to take the win in Kaloor. A meagre crowd of just over 3,000 people had turned up on that night, but a lot more will be expected to throng the JLN on Tuesday when the Blue Tigers return to town.