After more than two decades, the Indian national team will once again lock horns against China for an International friendly during the scheduled FIFA October 2018 window.

The Blue Tigers, who are currently ranked 97^th in the FIFA rankings will travel to Beijing for the encounter during the October 8-16 window. The match has been proposed to be held on Saturday, October 13, by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

India have faced China, who are currently ranked 75^th in the FIFA rankings, on 17 previous occasions, all of them being held on home soil. China have won 12 of the 17 matches, with the remaining five ending in draws. The last time the two sides met was in 1997 at Kochi for the Nehru Cup.

The friendly has been set up keeping in mind India’s participation in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2019 in January. General secretary of the AIFF, Mr. Kushal Das spoke on the importance of the proposed international friendly and of rekindling the neighbourhood rivalry between the two nations. “China and India are today being seen as the two fastest emerging football markets, globally. We are happy to have come to the conclusion of our month-long discussion with the Chinese FA and I thank our marketing partners FSDL for their involvement and cooperation. The opportunity presents us with an opportunity to not just break the two-decade deadlock, but also provides us with a chance to revive the neighbouring rivalry.”

Head coach of the Indian national team, Stephen Constantine seemed pleased with the AIFF’s efforts in scheduling the fixture, which will serve as a much-needed preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2019. "With an eye on the preparation for the Asian Cup, as a coach, I couldn’t have asked for anything better than an opponent like China. I am sure the boys will make the best of the opportunity presented to us and look forward to test ourselves ahead of the AFC competition.”