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Sharjah, January 13
Despite their loss to UAE, India will still be fired up by the prospect of reaching the knockouts for the first time when they take on Bahrain in their final Asian Cup group match here on Monday.
A draw against world No. 113 Bahrain will be enough for world No. 97 India to qualify for the Round of 16 for the first time after failed attempts in 1984 and 2011.
The match, which may turn out to be the biggest night for Indian football after its achievements during the golden era (1951 to 64), is also significant as skipper Sunil Chhetri will equal former captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s record of 107 international appearances.
India had finished runners-up in the 1964 edition in Israel but that tournament was played in a round-robin format comprising four countries.
Even a defeat on Monday may still see India through to the knockouts as one of the four third-placed teams if hosts United Arab Emirates beat Thailand in the other Group A match on the same day. Along with the top two countries, four third-placed sides from the six groups will also advance to the knockouts. But Stephen Constantine’s side cannot lose to Bahrain by a big margin as goal difference will be crucial. India had lost 5-2 to Bahrain in the 2011 Asian Cup.
But India have shown that they are no longer an also-ran side. Constantine has built India into a compact and largely defensive unit which tries to score on the counter. The team largely maintained its shape and intensity in the first two matches.
However, the lack of creativity in the midfield was evident and a lot will depend on Chhetri. 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 game for the West Asian side.
Bahrain lost 1-0 to Thailand, who defended deep in the first half and hit on the counter. India would take confidence from that result.
Historically, India have won just one match against Bahrain in seven matches. The 2-0 win had come in an international friendly in Bahrain in October 1979. Bahrain have won on five occasions win while one match had ended in a draw. — PTI
About India’s record against Bahrain
I don’t believe in records. There are a lot of factors that come into play. When was the last time we played them? Was it the same team? What were the circumstances? Everything’s always changing.
Not do-or-die
If we win, we don’t have to worry about anyone else. So we’ll focus on ourselves. I’m not sure whether we can call it do-or-die. That’s a bit too dramatic.
Will score
They defend very well and are very well organised. I’m sure that it will be difficult. But we have shown that we can score against good teams. I’m sure we can score tomorrow as well. — Stephen Constantine, india coach
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