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.)
Heartbreak for Pronay Halder. And (how many times have we said this in the past?) heartbreak for India. Within minutes of qualifying for the Round of 16 the central midfielder came in with a very, very late tackle giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
90 + 4 Full time: So close. So, so close. This will hurt. India have lost and barring some minor miracle in the other game (still 1-1) India are out. This is terrible.
Football is a strange strange game. India beat Thailand 4-1. An absolute hammering. But now Thailand will finish second in the group. They have held UAE to a draw. India are out.
There are some seriously depressed faces in this live blog room. And probably across India. There has been little for Indian football to cheer about in the past. A result today would’ve really been great. A new chapter and all that. But, and here we throw back to our first post of the evening. Don’t lose hope. Don’t go away. Stay. Watch. Follow Indian football regardless of what happens or will happen. Follow the clubs, follow the youngsters and follow the national team. We are in this together. Onwards and upwards.
The match highlights...
BREAKING: Stephen Constantine has tendered his resignation. He had earlier insinuated that he would take a call on his future after the Asian Cup. And he has.
Stephen Constantine statement:
“I have been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and we have done that. I am exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they have given. 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.”
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