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Preview: A heartbreaking loss after a stunning win denting their confidence, India will still be fired up by the prospect of a maiden knock-out round berth when they take on Bahrain in their final AFC Asian Cup group league match on Monday. A draw against the West Asian side, currently ranked 113, will be enough for India (ranked 97) to qualify for the round of 16 for the first time in the continent’s showpiece event after failed attempts in 1984 and 2011. Monday’s match at the Sharjah Stadium, which may turn out to be the biggest night of Indian football after its achievements during the Golden Years (1951 to 64), is also significant as talismanic skipper Sunil Chhetri will equal former captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s record of highest appearances for the country at 107 each. India had finished runners-up in the 1964 edition in Israel but that tournament was played in a round-robin format comprising four countries with the winners being decided on the basis of points collected in the league. There was not a single knock-out match in that edition. But even a defeat on Monday may still see India (3 points from 2 matches) through to the knock-out rounds as one of the four third-placed teams if hosts United Arab Emirates (4 from 2 matches) beat Thailand (3 from 2 matches) in Al Ain in the other Group A match to be played simultaneously. Four third-placed sides from the six groups of four teams each will also advance to the knock-out rounds, along with the top two countries. Under the competition rules of the Asian Cup, if two teams end their group stage engagements on equal points, the ranking will be decided first on the basis of head to head result. So, if both Thailand and India lose their matches on Monday, India will end at third as they have defeated the ‘War Elephants’ 4-1 in their opening match. But the Stephen Constantine side cannot lose to Bahrain — to whom India lost 2-5 in the 2011 Asian Cup — by a big margin as goal difference will get the first preference while deciding which team makes it to the Round of 16 among third place sides of equal points. In Groups C and D, two bottom-placed teams have not yet opened their accounts after playing two matches each and they have minus goal difference as against India’s plus one. Courtesy, the stunning win against Thailand has shown that India are no longer an ‘also ran’ side and the second match against the UAE — though lost 0-2 — strengthened the thought that this side can hold onto their own without fear and take the game to the opposition, unlike the teams of the past. Luck also eluded India in the match against UAE as the woodwork denied them on two occasions while Ashique Kuruniyan and Chhetri had the goalkeeper at their mercy but failed to beat him. India had more shots at opposition goal though UAE had the overwhelming possession. Constantine has built India into a compact and largely defensive unit which tries to score on the counter. The team largely maintained it shape and intensity in the first two matches against Thailand and UAE. The lack of creativity in the midfield as compared to other top sides was, however, evident and a lot will depend on Chhetri, who has become the highest Indian goal scorer in the Asian Cup (with four strikes) as well as second highest international goal scorer (67 from 106 matches) among active players. India may again deploy a defensive approach and hit on the counter against a physical Bahrain as they need just a draw while it is a must-win for the West Asian side as they are with just one point from two matches after their 0-1 loss to Thailand. The Thais defended deep in the first half against Bahrain and hit on the counter and the ‘War Elephants’ were able to get a second half goal. So, it is not beyond India’s reach to get a favourable result against Bahrain. Constantine fielded the same starting eleven in both against Thailand and UAE in a 4-4-2 formation and it will have to be seen whether he does the same against Bahrain. The central defender duo of Sandesh Jhingan and Anas Edathodika largely marshalled the back-line well so far but there were periods of lack of understanding between them which led to the two goals by UAE. The head coach is unlikely to make changes at the heart of the defence as well as in the upfront duo of Chhetri and Kuruniyan. However, Constantine may try out Balwant Singh at some point in time considering the physicality of the Bahrain side. Jeje Lapekhlua has been the preferred forward for Constantine to come in as substitute. Rowlin Borges is an option for Pranoy Halder in the role of a defensive midfielder while attacking midfielder Anirudha Thapa was a bit subdued against UAE. Right winger Udanta Singh was brilliant in the match against Thailand as he was involved in three goals and he was denied by the crossbar against UAE as well. Historically, India have won just one match against Bahrain in seven matches played so far between the two countries. That win (2-0) had come in an international friendly in Bahrain in October, 1979 with striker Shabir Ali scoring both the goals. Bahrain have won on five occasions win while one match had ended in a draw. With inputs from PTI.
AFC Asian Cup 2019 Match Highlights, India vs Bahrain Football Match: India eliminated by late Jamal Rashed penalty
Follow all the latest updates as the Indian football team take on Bahrain in their final group stage match at the AFC Asian Cup 2019
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That’s it from us!
Stephen Constantine’s shocking announcement has put several changes into effect, which will be covered extensively over the course of the next few days on our website.
Thanks for tuning in and following India’s incredible exploits from this edition of the AFC Asian Cup on our live blog!
The campaign has ended in heartbreak, but we’ll be right here whenever India return to action, chronicling their rise through the ranks of international football.
Stephen Constantine steps down as the Indian football team coach
The Englishman, who has been instrumental in India’s improvement over the past few years, says his cycle is over, adding that he has left the players in a much better place than they were when he arrived.
FT: India 0-1 Bahrain
India bow out of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 after finishing fourth in Group A after Thailand held UAE to a draw. India’s campaign showed plenty of promise, but in the end the quality wasn’t enough
GOAL! Bahrain score from the spot. India heading home
Hamed Alshamsan baits captain Pronay Halder into a rash challenge inside the penalty area, and the Indian hacks him down. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is wrong-footed by Jamal Rashed, who buries it in the net. India need to come up with something quick
Sandhesh Jhingan has been massive in this game, and he’s earning himself some high-profile fans!
A bizarre decision from the referee ends in nothing
The referee awards an indirect free-kick to Bahrain as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu picks up a deflected ball that comes off the foot of Subashish. The strange decision is dealt with quite adeptly by the Indian defenders, who in spite of their numerous talents, are not exactly the tallest lot.
Bahrain come within inches of taking the lead!
Mohamed Marhoon gets a header onto the upright after the ball pings around the Indian penalty area, ricocheting off the heads of players like pinball. Bahrain quickly win the ball back and get right back to attacking.
India survive a dangerous spell of Bahraini possession
Jamal Rashed gets a shot on target from a free kick, which Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saves. India counterattack rapidly, and get a free-kick on the edge of the area, which Sunil Chhetri blasts into the upper tiers of the stadium. India are caught out on the resulting counter, where Udanta Singh puts in a bruising tackle on a Bahraini forward inside the penalty area, which is adjudged to be fair.
It’s goalless at half-time
India doing just enough at the interval but Bahrain have been the better team and have looked more threatening. India have offered little going forward. India are playing a dangerous game especially with Thailand drawing with UAE.
Fine margins in Group A. A goal either way could vastly impact the table. A goal for India would send them top, while a goal for Bahrain would push India to fourth place. Nervy second half coming up
GOAL in Al Ain! Thailand equalise. As things stand, India have to get a point from this game to have a chance of progressing to the next round.
What a shambolic piece of defending from UAE! Thitipan Puangchan scores the equaliser after a bizarre bit of defending, when the defenders and the keeper failed to clear the ball!
LIVE Group A standings
1. UAE 5 points
2. India 4 points
3. Thailand 4 points
4. Bahrain 2 points
India ahead of Thailand on better head-to-head record
Indian football fans have flocked to the stadium in droves to support their team!
Bahrain have a lot of the ball, but they don’t quite look like they know what to do with it
The West Asian side have been passing the ball around quite deftly in their own half, but on their ventures into India’s final third, they have resorted to launching crosses into the penalty area, where Mohamed Al Romaihi has been expertly marshalled by Sandesh Jhingan
India grow into the match
Much better from India in the last few minutes. Lot more composure on the ball. Bahrain’s attacks have dried up a bit.
What a save from UAE’s Khalid Eisa Bilal!
Thailand’s Adisak Kraisorn gets lucky as a bobbling ball finds him in the box, his left-footed shot, is saved well! The Thai team is growing into this game, which is not the best news for India, who have failed to come up with any clear-cut chances so far
It’s still early going but here’s how the table will look if the scores remain the same
India are on the back foot, with Bahrain looking to nick an early goal
India have been second best in the opening exchanges so far. Bahrain finding a lot of space to play. India’s intensity not the same as previous games, not winning the second balls. Bahrain have looked threatening while going forward
Meanwhile, Ali Ahmed Mabkhout heads UAE ahead in the seventh minute of the other Group A match!
GOAL in Al Ain! UAE take the lead against Thailand. That’s good news for India as a Thailand defeat guarantees them a top three finish.
LIVE Group A standings
1. UAE 7 points
2. India 4 points
3. Thailand 3 points
4. Bahrain 2 points
Bahrain are taking the game to India!
India struggling to play out from the back. Pronay Halder caught on the ball Bahrain almost profit. India missing Anirudh already? Indian players look like deer caught in headlights every time the ball enters the final third
What a blow for Stephen Contantine’s side!
Anas Edathodika is struggling with an injury and appears to signal for a substitution! We’re only two minutes into the first half and India have already used up a substitute. Salam Ranjan comes on in his place
With the eyes of the country firmly affixed on the Indian football team’s exploits, coach Stephen Constantine believes cricket has finally taken a back seat
India stunned Thailand 4-1 in their opening match last weekend to record their first victory at the tournament in over 50 years and despite losing 2-0 to hosts United Arab Emirates, Stephen Constantine insists football has knocked cricket of its perch — at least for a little bit.
The current incarnation of the Indian football team is considered to be one of the fittest Indian sides ever
The aspect of India’s game that has appealed to everyone irrespective of the result has been their speed, energy and stamina that has seen them run tirelessly on the pitch, eventually causing big problems for the opponents. Read more about the changes that have occurred over the past few years here .
A win for India will assure their progression into the knockout rounds, but it may not be their only route there
India will qualify for the Round of 16 with a win over Bahrain in Sharjah and will be assured of a top-two finish in Group A. A victory could also propel the Blue Tigers to the top spot if UAE draw or lose to Thailand in the other game in Al Ain.
Click here to read more about the various permutations and combinations that could see India get into the next stage!
India’s form has changed significantly since the the last time they met Bahrain in the Asian Cup
‘Eight years ago, India played Bahrain in the 2011 Asian Cup and lost 5-2. However, the Blue Tigers would believe that those days of struggling against the Asian big boys are well behind them.’ Click here to read more of Kaushal Shukla’s preview of the crucial match-up.
The line-ups are out!
Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s LIVE coverage of India’s AFC Asian Cup group stage match against Bahrain!
The island nation of Bahrain stands between the Blue Tigers and a historic spot in the Asian Cup knockout stages. Follow all the latest updates from the match as well as news from the other Group A fixture between the hosts UAE and Thailand on our live blog!