Sandesh Jhingan of Indian football team blocks a Bahrain striker during their AFC Asian Cup match in Sharjah. Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Bahrain match below (Pic: Twitter, AFC).
The dream went crashing down at stoppage time the Indian football team. In the 91st minute of play, India conceded a penalty which was converted by Bahrain's Jamal Rashid to seal the match 1-0 in Sharjah on January 14. The result saw India crash out of the tournament with UAE, Thailand and Bahrain going through into the knockouts from Group A. (Get highlights and analysis of the India vs Bahrain AFC Asian Cup match below) || Full time analysis video by Ishfaq Ahmed
Meanwhile Stephen Constantine resigned as coach of the national team soon after the match.
“I have been here for four years," he said. "My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and we have done that.
Also Read | Stephen Constantine’s Exit Can Be a Blessing for India’s Footballing Future
"I am exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they have given," he added. "I thank the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kushal Das, Praful Patel and Abhishek Yadav for the support that they have given me. I think my cycle is finished. I did what I was asked. It is time for me to move on.”
The Indians started off with a setback, losing Anas Edathodika to a hamstring injury in the second minute of the match. But they settled down soon enough and managed to thwart off Bahrain's forays. They went into the break with the scores tied 0-0. | Half time analysis video by Ishfaq Ahmed
Video | India vs Bahrain preview with Gurpreet and Jhingan
In the other Group A match Thailand held UAE to a 1-1 draw to seal their progress in the tournament.
(Besides the usual crew, we also had ex-international and coach Ishfaq Ahmed adding his expertise to our feed below.)
Ishfaq: Udanta’s speed and strength on the ball are two aspects we have spoken about in the past and are the most apparent. But another area he has worked hard on is getting back behind the ball and helping out on the defensive side of things. Very important in the context of the national team.
34’ Bahrain have a corner for no reason. Literally. Subhashish and Gurpreet mess up on the comms and concede one.
35’ They play it short again. But Alromaihi is offside. That’s some shoddy play from both sides. As of now, India are second in the group.
36’ Halder is taken down by Ali Juma near the halfway line. That should have been a yellow. It was late, it was high, and it was unnecessary from a Bahrain perspective.
37’ Ashique’s pace and strength is really troubling the Bahrain defenders. His hold up play must be commended. Playing as a striker while facing your own goal for a majority of the game is no mean feat.
39’ Subhashish and Salam Ranjan combine to win the ball brilliantly at the edge of the Indian box. Thwarted a dodgy looking Bahrain counter.
41’ Bahrain have a corner. They play it long, but our 6’5’ giant comes and plucks the orange out of the tree. Easy peezy.
42’ Thailand have equalised (1-1 vs UAE). As things stand now, India are still going through.
Ishfaq says Thailand’s goal was scrappy and on the broadcast the commentator copies him. It's freaky if you were in the same room. Seriously!
43’ Horrible clearance by Salam Ranjan and Alromaihi has a free run on the left. Jhingan bails his buddy out and superbly eases the Bahraini off the ball.
No goals. Not many chances. And truthfully, very little real action. Just the way India want it. The other game is still 1-1. Nil Nil will do for us. Bring the team bus, park it in front of goal. Thank you very much.
Ishfaq: Rowllin is the big change in the centre of the park for India today, coming in for the young Anirudh Thapa. He is one of the boys Constantine has kept in and around the squad in the recent past but doesn’t appear to be on the same plane as the rest of the XI. Has tried a few unnecessary killer balls and looked a bit weak, physically, when in one-on-one situations.
India have done pretty well in terms of defensive positioning this first half. Caught Bahrain offside five times already. Sandesh Jhingan has been fully switched on today and Salam Ranjan Singh, the only I-League player in the squad, seems to have settled in as well. Pronay Halder is wearing the captain’s armband tonight and playing the role brilliantly. Will need another 45 minutes of the same if India are to maintain their position.
47’ It's kicked off but nothing much has happened since.
48’ Another cross from the left. Again its cleared by Jhingan. India launch a counter, the crowd, rises but its broken down near the half way line.
49’ Another Bahrain attack from the left and Bahrain have a corner. From the corner after a bit of pinball, the ball is volleyed in from outside the box. It goes wide.
49’ Jeje has come on for Ashique. Sorry we missed that. Not quite sure what the thinking is here.
50’ India finally catch the ball, and Rowllin plays it wide, to Udanta, whose cross is awful. He had a lot of time and a lot of space but managed to muck it up.
52’ Bahrain are getting a bit frustrated now. Their players are getting a bit irritated at the close contact, and challenges not going their way.
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