Manvir Singh struck twice in the second half before Sumeet Passi headed home a clinical pass as defending champions India breezed past Pakistan 3-1 to sail into the final.
India comfortably beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in their opening encounter of the SAFF Cup football tournament on Wednesday.
The situation in Kerala remains precarious with water levels still rising dangerously in many rivers and people stranded in many areas waiting for help to arrive.
India and China have faced each other 17 times -- all on Indian soil -- with the last being 21 years ago in the Nehru Cup in Kochi in 1997.
The Indian men's football team was hoping to use the Asian Games as a build up for next year's AFC Asian Cup.
Indian men's team is currently ranked 97th in the world and 16th in Asia, but the football body wants the authorities to look beyond rankings under the present circumstances.
India are clubbed with UAE, Thailand and Bahrain in Group A of the continental showpiece.
Sunil Chhetri netted eight goals in the title-winning Intercontinental Cup campaign in Mumbai and also played his milestone 100th match in India colours.
I am happy that people understood it & I was really happy to get such support: Sunil Chhetri
Sunil Chhetri is now aiming for a strong showing in the Asian Cup next year where India are clubbed with UAE, Bahrain and Thailand.
Rathore said the training opportunities and support for the players are much better now and also urged schools to focus on promoting sports and not just academics.
Indian football skipper Sunil Chhetri was a man on a mission once again as he helped India beat Kenya 2-0 to win the Intercontinental Cup at the Mumbai Football Arena.
FIFA remains convinced of football's potential in the world's second most populous nation, its belief bookended by the successful hosting of the U-17 World Cup last year.
India vs Kenya Final Live Score: Watch Intercontinental Cup 2018 Football Match Live Streaming Online on Hotstar, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD & TV from Football Arena Mumbai and Get Football Score Live Updates at IndiaTV Sports
Stephen Constantine said his goals from the tournament were fulfilled and the final target is to lift the Trophy.
Kenya made it to the final to be played on Sunday on better goal difference of plus two as against plus one of New Zealand. India has a goal difference of plus seven.
Chhetri was seen showing a distasteful reaction when a fan threw a National Flag towards him for an autograph and someone from his crew stepped on the flag mistakenly.
Despite India being the firm favourites to win the match, New Zealand could spoil their party by giving a tough fight.
Stephen Constantine says the Indian football team has done enough in the last few years to merit a decent crowd turnout, and begging was one thing it did not deserve.
Sachin Tendulkar had taken to his Twitter account, requesting the fans to support and encourage all athletes after Sunil Chhetri's plea.
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