India vs China: 5 historic matches between the two neighbouring nations

Indian National team lands in China
Indian National team lands in China
Indian National team players train before heading off to China
Indian National team players train before heading off to China
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#3 India vs China, 24 November 1982

The venue for the 1982 Asian Games was New Delhi. The host nation was placed in Group C alongside China, Malaysia, and Bangladesh.

After a 2-0 win against Bangladesh, and a 1-0 win against Malaysia, India were up against a strong Chinese unit and needed a draw to secure a place in the quarters. A 2-2 draw is exactly what they managed. Shen Xiangfu got the visitors in the lead but India's Shabbir Ali and Kartick Seth scored a goal each in the 53rd and 60th minute, respectively, to give the advantage to the hosts. The nail-biting match ended in a draw after Zuo Shusheng equalized for China.

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India were the table toppers during the 1982 Asian Games and had 5 points. They would eventually go on to narrowly lose 0-1 to Saudi Arabia in the quarters but nevertheless, their campaign proved that it was a time of the revival of Indian football.

#2 India vs China, 11 April 1997

India lost 1-2 to China in the third-place match of the 1997 Nehru Cup.

The venue was Kochi and four teams -- Uzbekistan U-19, Iraq, China PR, and Ghana -- had flown in to take part in the football Mundial. Iraq was the runaway favourites to lift the trophy but The Blue Tigers had an extremely special campaign. Initially, four round robin matches were to be played by each team.

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India drew 0-0 with China, 2-2 with Uzbekistan U-19 and Ghana, but lost 0-1 to Iraq. This meant that they would take on Iraq in the semifinal match. In front of a crowd of over 60,000, India lost the match 4-2 on penalties to the eventual champions after the score was tied at 1-1 in regulation time. This is regarded as one of the most heartbreaking matches for the Indian team ever.

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The third-place match was set up between India and China, which the former lost 1-2, with Bhaichung Bhutia scoring the solitary goal for them. Bao Wenjie, Huang Yong scored the decisive goals for The Dragons.

#1 India vs China, 27 September 2002

The last meeting between the two teams was at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. India were placed in Group C alongside Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, and China.

The format was such that the top 6 teams would make get a straight entry into the quarters. Meanwhile, 2 of the 6 best 2nd placed teams from each group would join them (on the basis of goal difference).

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Bhaichung Bhutia scored a brace in India's 3-0 win over Bangladesh. He also scored a brace in India's 3-1 win over Turkmenistan. However, their most difficult challenge still remained -- China. The winner of the match would have secured a place in the quarters but it was just not meant to be for the Blue Tigers as China won the match 2-0, with Yu Tao scoring a brace for them.


Vengeance for all these losses would be on the back of the minds of the Indian players as they take the field on October 13. However, it is extremely important that they keep their cool as China will also have the home advantage and a big crowd is expected for the game at the at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in Suzhou City.

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Edited by Alan John
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