New Delhi (Sputnik): India's senior football team is visiting China later this year for an international friendly match as part of the preparation for the 2019 Asia Cup. The 97th-ranked Indian team will travel to Beijing to play against the 75th ranked Chinese national team during the October 8-16, 2018 FIFA window, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Friday.
"This presents us with an opportunity not just to break the two-decade deadlock, but also to revive the neighborly rivalry," Kushal Das, AIFF General Secretary said while terming the occasion as ‘historic'.
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India's National coach Stephen Constantine said China would make the best opponent for India to prepare for the Asia Cup.
"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 testing ourselves ahead of the AFC competition," Stephen Constantine said.