Kochi, March 30 (NationPress) After a span of 3,654 days, the Indian men's national football team is making its long-awaited return to Kochi. The 10-year drought for the passionate fans of Kerala will finally come to a close as the Blue Tigers face off against Hong Kong, China, in their final Group D match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this coming Tuesday.

It was on March 29, 2016, when a header from Sandesh Jhingan had given India an early lead against Turkmenistan, only for the visitors to secure victory with two second-half goals in Kaloor. That night, a modest crowd of just over 3,000 fans attended the match; however, a much larger turnout is anticipated for the Blue Tigers’ return to the city.

Although it's been a decade since India last played in Kochi, the question remains: when was the last time India celebrated a victory here? The answer is never. This is an opportunity for Khalid Jamil’s squad to rewrite history. Back in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, India faced numerous footballing giants in Kochi during the Nehru Cup, including teams like Italy, Hungary, Morocco, Uruguay, and Iceland, yet they have never clinched a win.

Tuesday could mark a day of significant milestones—India's first victory in Kochi after 18 attempts, their first win in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, and Khalid Jamil's inaugural home win as head coach since his appointment last August.

Despite India's slim chances for the next Asian Cup, the message within the camp is clear: finish strong, maintain focus, and perform well at home.

In a pre-match press conference, head coach Khalid Jamil emphasized the match's importance:

“This is a crucial game for us,” he stated. “We cannot afford to take it lightly. We are prepared for this clash, and we need your support more than ever.”

“We shouldn't dwell on past performances. Even though we are out of contention, we want to close this chapter on a high note.”

Hong Kong arrives with a relatively fresh squad, differing from the one under Ashley Westwood, who secured a last-minute penalty victory against India in the earlier fixture last year. With Roberto Losada now at the helm, this will be his first official match in charge. However, India is not planning to get overly caught up in analyzing their opponents.

“They have been performing well and have a new coach. We don’t have extensive intelligence on them, so our focus needs to be on our gameplay. That’s what will benefit us the most,” Jamil remarked.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the national team’s return to Kochi after a decade, Jamil said, “We are delighted to be back. Kerala has produced numerous exceptional players, and it’s always a fantastic experience to play here.”

Forward Edmund Lalrindika, who joined Jamil at the press conference, shared similar sentiments. “Tomorrow, we are playing in Kerala, one of the footballing homes of India,” stated the 26-year-old. “I’m genuinely thrilled, and with our fans' support, we hope to achieve a positive result.”

The Indian squad has dedicated the past week to preparing for this fixture, focusing on teamwork and cohesion after a four-month hiatus from international play.

“The team has been training well,” Lalrindika noted. “Everyone is prepared, and we are determined to strive for a favorable outcome. The coach knows us well; he is demanding yet allows us freedom. We all support one another. We are ready to represent our country,” added the East Bengal FC player.

India has netted only two goals across five matches in this qualifying campaign. When addressing the scoring concerns, Jamil stated, “We acknowledge the issue. We must work with the players at our disposal. We now have talents like Rahim Ali, Manvir Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Farukh Choudhary, and Ryan Williams. Finding the right combination is essential.”

Having arrived in India on Friday, Hong Kong has conducted three training sessions in Kochi. During the pre-match media interaction, head coach Roberto Losada remarked, “We arrived a few days ago and are very pleased to be here. Everything has gone smoothly, and we have been well taken care of. We hope everyone enjoys a great match and a vibrant atmosphere from both teams.”

Commenting on the Indian side, Losada added, “We have followed India throughout the qualification process. We have noted the players they’ve utilized and the changes under the new coach. We have some insights, but like them, we are unsure what to expect.”

Hong Kong winger Sun Ming Him, currently with Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, noted, “This is our first match under the new interim coach, and it has been somewhat challenging due to the limited time we have had to adapt to a new system. The facilities here in Kochi are excellent—the food, training ground, and hotel have all been top-notch. We feel comfortable, which has aided our preparations for the match.