Subhash bhowmick

AFC Challenge Cup Final: Twenty-seven years is a long time. That's how much India had to wait to make it to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 1984.

A sensational 4-1 triumph over Tajikistan in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup Final at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi was not only remarkable for Sunil Chhetri's first international hat-trick, but India's return to the continent's biggest stage.

Left-back Syed Rahim Nabi, who started all three matches in the 2011 Asian Cup, shares his fond and everlasting memories from the tournament, the journey of making it to Qatar and the profound impact it had on his marvellous career. Only 16 teams made it to the Asian Cup, and India were one of them.