Kochi: India take on Turkmenistan in an inconsequential match in the 2018 Fifa World Cup Asian qualifier at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The hosts have won only one of their seven previous qualifying matches and are rooted to bottom of Group ‘D’ with three points. India defeated Guam 1-0 in November to secure their only win in the qualifiers.
India had lost 1-2 to Turkmenistan in the away leg in October, but the hosts are most likely to be without Captain Sunil Chhetri yet again. The striker who was left out of the Iran game with a groin injury resumed training, but his participation is still in doubt. The visitors have lost all three previous away qualifiers and are third on 10 points. Despite their exits from the Cup qualifiers, both teams have progressed to Asian Cup qualifier third round, and play-off round respectively.
