AFC Asian Cup 2019, India vs Bahrain, As It Happened: Rashed penalty knocks Blue Tigers out
Pronay Halder’s late challenge resulted in a penalty, which India failed to keep out.
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INDIA 0-1 BAHRAIN
90+1’: Jamal Rashed (penalty)
Heart-break for India as they are knocked out by a late penalty. That is all for the night, folks. Tonight’s match report.
A glorious chance wasted! We were in a terrific position to go through and we fucked it up. The saddest part is that we didn't even try to play, and that hurts, hurts so bad. #IndianFootball #AsianCup2019
— Sucheth (@kunjiru91) January 14, 2019
When the going gets tough, the elite teams start firing. India have a long way to go to become one of them at Asian level. Tonight fully exposed India’s deficiencies, as the first match accentuated their strengths. India’s Asian Cup is over, and they have a first tournament win after 55 years to show for it.
😐 Horrible result! This is the India we thought we were going to see before the tournament started but somehow did not... until the crunch time. On the balance of the three performances, we deserved to go through. But you can't begrudge Bahrain a place there either. #INDBAH
— Akarsh Sharma (@Akarsh_Official) January 14, 2019
India played for a draw, got nothing tonight. They could have shipped in more, and frankly, they were a disjointed lot. Miroslav Soukup’s men threatened all evening and got the penalty their performance deserved.
The Blue Tigers played good football against UAE and Thailand, but were outclassed tonight. This is the performance we had all been dreading and it came true.
The three #AsianCup2019 games for India have been the state of Indian football in a nutshell - hope, apathy and despair.
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) January 14, 2019
It would be unfair to say that India’s downfall is only down to the penalty. They were out of their depth against Bahrain, who controlled the game and did not take their chances.
India hit the handbrake for their final group stage game, but the vehicle toppled over. India are out in what must seem the most heart-breaking of conditions, but they have only themselves to blame.
The Indian team acknowledging and thanking the fans. pic.twitter.com/rvFrCt3d2J
— Clive (@vanillawallah) January 14, 2019
Well, India were four minutes away from going through to the second round, but they are out. The team took completely off-colour against Bahrain.
Constantine must take some of the blame, as the team failed to string together any passes tonight. India reverted to the team we’re used to witnessing from them over the last couple of years. When they needed a point, they collapsed.
Constantine deserves the stick for this game as much as he deserved praise for the previous two
— Indian Football News (@indianfootynet) January 14, 2019
Terrible performance from India who were playing for a draw from the first minute#INDBHA #AFCAsianCup2019 #BacktheBlues
The game between UAE and Thailand ends 1-1.
India are out of the tournament. UAE and Thailand are through as automatic qualifiers, with Bahrain who have confirmed their place as one of the four best-third place teams.
Full-time! The Indians suffer a heartbreaking defeat after an injury-time winner from the spot for Bahrain.
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
Final score: 🇮🇳 0-1 🇧🇭#INDBAH #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball #AsianDream #BlueTigers
Full-time and it ends 1-0 to Bahrain.
India are out at the moment, with the UAE drawing Thailand 1-1. That game is still underway. Bahrain are through.
90+1’: INDIA 0-1 BAHRAIN
GOALL! Jamal Rashed converts the penalty. As things stand, India are out.
90’: 0-0
PENALTY! Bahrain have a penalty. Halder trips Al-Shamsan.
88’: 0-0
Two minutes of regulation time left. India have nothing left in the tank. Gurpreet bails them out once again.
Jhingan has had a massive game #IndianFootball #AsianCup2019 #INDBAH
— Rahul Bhutani (@BhutaniRahul) January 14, 2019
84’: 0-0
SAVE! Gurpreet’s outstretched hand keeps India in the competition.
From one Indian keeper to another.
These @IndianFootball need to be given so much credit for their strong mentality in this game. Special mention to @SandeshJhingan - hats off to you🙌 I am a fan
— Aditi Chauhan GK 🇮🇳 (@aditi03chauhan) January 14, 2019
82’: 0-0
India desperately scrambling in these final moments. Barely holding on, as Bahrain mount attacks. Borges gets the ball, but can’t pass it to Thapa.
Scenes as Bahrain get an indirect free-kick. Hearts in mouth stuff this from @indianfootball. The @BluePilgrims love it here in Sharjah any way! #INDBAH pic.twitter.com/aDmQu1wTbl
— Anant Tyagi (@anant174) January 14, 2019
79’: 0-0
Final change for India. Narzary is off, as Anirudh Thapa is brought on. No more changes for India.
India giving a new definition to #OneTouchFootball. That's the number of touches before Bahrain regain possession. #INDBAH But who cares. India still 2nd in the group.
— Rohan Noronha (@noronha_rohan) January 14, 2019
76’: 0-0
A billion hearts in mouths moment, but India survive. And they must do so for another 15 minutes plus regulation time. Bahrain make their final change, Ahmed Juma in for Sami Al-Husami.
73' Drama in Sharjah as Subhasish stabs the ball back to Gurpreet and the referee's pointed for an indirect free-kick inches from 12 yards out. 0-0. #INDBAH
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) January 14, 2019
74’: 0-0
Bahrain have an indirect free-kick. Bose’s back-pass is collected by Sandhu. India escape by the skin of their teeth as they keep it out.
Got to be most ridiculous decision of the tournament.. Unless Thapa is injured..#INDvBHR https://t.co/dQfvOxNJWZ
— Shreyas Rao (@shreyasnrao) January 14, 2019
71’: 0-0
POST!! Bahrain hit the post. Marhoon with a header which bounces off Sandhu’s right post.
67’: 0-0
Udanta with a give-away but Al-Yusuf is tackled by the Bengaluru winger. Bahrain can’t profit from the ensuing corner.
Some thoughts on the commentary.
‘It’s like Virat Kohli is coming out to bat... it’s a set piece for India’
— Tareque Laskar (@tarequelaskar) January 14, 2019
UGH 😑😑😑😑
64’: 0-0
Udanta Singh runs clear of the defence and he is brought down by Mohamed Al-Shamsan who is booked. Sunl Chhetri with the free-kick, which sails over the bar.
61' A long range attempt by Bahrain, goes over the bar!#INDBAH #AFCAsianCup #BlueTigers 🇮🇳
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) January 14, 2019
60’: 0-0
Marhoon is almost in, but Jhingan clears it away. India hang on for the moment. Abdulla Yusuf replaces Mohamed Al-Romahi for Bahrain
🇮🇳💙🙌🏽🇮🇳#INDBAH #BlueTigers #AsianDream #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball @FCPuneCity 📸: AFC Media pic.twitter.com/sHXOHlNHf9
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
55’: 0-0
Change for Bahrain. Ali Madan is off, Mohamed Marhoon is on.
52' - The Indians are under some early pressure after the restart but the defence holds on well to absorb it. @Subhasishbose17 comes up with a fine interception on the left flank to deny the Bahrain forwards
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
🇮🇳 0-0 🇧🇭#INDBAH #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball #AsianDream #BlueTigers
48’: 0-0
Confirmation of the change. Kuruniyan is off, Jeje Lalpekhlua is on.
46’: 0-0
The second half kicks off!
Pronay Halder, GOAT for India’s midfield tonight poses with a goat nine years ago.
Couldn't be prouder of this man being named India Captain today.. !! (From 9 years ago in the middle of nowhere..!) pic.twitter.com/JKZNElIoaa
— Richard Hood (@r_hood09) January 14, 2019
Half-time: 0-0
India have opted for a no-lose approach. Thapa’s exclusion has created a visible shift in India’s play, which has reverted back to a ‘lump-it’ philosophy. Will the Chennaiyin man take the field for the second half?
⏱ HALF-TIME:
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 14, 2019
It's goalless at the break in Sharjah.
🇮🇳 India 0-0 Bahrain 🇧🇭#AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/WZusGXSJKJ
At half-time,
January 14, 2011: Bahrain 4-1 India
January 14, 2019: Bahrain 0-0 India
As things stand, India are on their way to progression from this group.
45’: 0-0
Two minutes of stoppage time added. Can India hold on to this draw till half-time?
42’: 0-0
News just in from the other game. Thailand have equalised against UAE. India are still second in the group, on head-to-head count.
GOAL ⚽! 41' Thitipan Puangchan scores the equalizer for his side!
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 14, 2019
🇦🇪 UAE 1 - 1 THA 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/nQKfk8NMk0
41’: 0-0
Salam Ranjan Singh clears it out for a corner. India cannot seem to get it out of their half.
38' Ali Jaafar tries to cut in from the right wing but Pronay slides in and stops the Bahrain man dead in his tracks.
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 14, 2019
IND 0-0 BAH#BlueTigers #BackTheBlue #FanBannaPadega #IndianFootball #INDBAH
37’: 0-0
India stringing some passes together, but this little spell is interrupted by Borges’ reckless give-away to a Bahrain player.
🗣️ @IndianFootball 🇮🇳 fans bringing their A-game to Sharjah Stadium!
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 14, 2019
#AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/23A72erMjG
31’: 0-0
Half an hour gone and India have not been able to keep the ball. They’ve been content with keeping the opposition out. The forwards have received little service, and their opponents have been able to get some long shots in.
India have made mistakes when gifted the ball, and have not been able to use the pace of Udanta Singh and Ashique Kuruniyan. UAE’s 1-0 lead over Thailand means that India have some leeway but must improve to see this game through.
28’: 0-0
India work it up to Narzary, who plays it to Chhetri in the box. The Bengaluru FC man can’t get a shot off.
25’: 0-0
India have settled into a rhythm of ‘Hoick the ball to Chhetri’. Ali Madan with a strong challenge on Subhasish Bose. Rowllin with the free-kick, hits it straight to the Bahrain keeper.
19' - @SandeshJhingan comes up with yet another excellent challenge as he slides to win the ball off the Bahrain attacker at the edge of the Indian penalty area.
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
🇮🇳 0-0 🇧🇭#INDBAH #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball #AsianDream #BlueTigers
20’: 0-0
India steal the ball but are unable to keep it as Chhetri’s pass to Udanta is over-hit.
11’: 0-0
Now, Halicharan Narzary looks hurt. Bahrain have a header but it goes over Gurpreet’s head.
13' - After a nervy start, the Indian side is starting to find its feet. @KotalPritam comes up with a delicious cross from the right flank but Ashique's resulting header is not on target.
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
🇮🇳 0-0 🇧🇭#INDBAH #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball #AsianDream #BlueTigers
10’: 0-0
Pritam Kotal picks out Ashique Kuruniyan with a peach of a ball but the Malappuram man is unable to finish it.
8’: 0-0
Good news for India as Ali Mabkhout scores for UAE against Thailand. As things stand, India go through in second place.
GOAL ⚽! 7' Ali Mabkhout scores an early goal for the hosts following a rebound from the crossbar!
— #AsianCup2019 (@afcasiancup) January 14, 2019
🇦🇪 UAE 1 - 0 THA 🇹🇭 pic.twitter.com/JoZCvndZap
5’: 0-0
Early warning signs for India as Gurpreet palms a shot back into a Bahrain attacker and it is off target. More long shots from Bahrain.
4’: 0-0
Salam Ranjan Singh is in for Anas. Sandesh Jhingan and Singh will play in the centre of defence.
3’: 0-0
Short free-kick by Rowllin Borges and the ball is over-hit. Anas Edathodika is down and Stephen Constantine could be forced into making an immediate change.
Big moment for the country as @IndianFootball take on Bahrain today. A real chance to progress and I am going to be watching just like everyone else. Come on, India! #INDBAH 🇮🇳
— CK Vineeth (@ckvineeth) January 14, 2019
1’: 0-0
We have kick-off.
09:28 pm: We are five minutes away from kick-off. It’s time for the national anthems.
We are coming here to win the game. We have done well in the last two matches and we need to win today. Even they need to win, so it will be interesting: @StephenConstan #INDBAH #AsianDream #BlueTigers #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
📸: AFC Media pic.twitter.com/RUELTfMwA8
09:25 pm:
A fixture eight years in the making.
January 14, 2011: India 2-5 Bahrain
January 14, 2019: ?
For the first time in god knows how long, i've actually got a feeling of expectation from the NT to be able to nick a decent result.
— Vijay.R.B (@TheBaronVj) January 14, 2019
Come on India!#INDBAH #AFCAsianCup2019
09:15 pm: “We get the three points, we get the point, it doesn’t matter what happens in the other game.” Stephen Constantine does not want to leave progression to chance.
We are in safe hands 🧤⚽#BehindTheScenes #BlueTigers #BackTheBlue #AsianDream #IndianFootball #INDBAH pic.twitter.com/MWfBfBCN3a
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
09:10 pm: Two matches, three results possible, nine scenarios.
If you’re tired of the math, head this way to understand India’s qualification chances.
With just few hours to go for the Blue Tigers' big game in Sharjah, we take a look at how Bahrain have performed in the @afcasiancup this year. #INDBAH #AsianCup2019 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/SezUEMfGgJ
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) January 14, 2019
09:00 pm: Borges was the one expected change to Constantine’s line-up from the first two games. The Englishman has opted for fresh legs and one suspects this could stem from having the need to break up Bahrain’s attacks.
Read full preview here.
India head into today's #AFCAsianCup2019 game vs Bahrain eyeing qualification for the knockouts. India will rely on captain Chhetri for goals, but regardless of what happens today, Anirudh Thapa has certainly been a bright spot at this tournament.
— Abhijit Bharali (@abhibharali) January 14, 2019
Data from @beINSPORTS. pic.twitter.com/DzWo0LCYRs
08:50 pm: The line-ups are out. Stephen Constantine makes one change with Anirudh Thapa replaced by Rowllin Borges. India have gone for more physicality in the middle of the park to match Bahrain. How will the absence of Thapa affect India’s ball-play?
1 change for both teams. Rowllin in for Thapa. Pronay Halder captains @IndianFootball! #INDBAH pic.twitter.com/pUxJ13ZY4c
— Anant Tyagi (@anant174) January 14, 2019
08:40 pm: India faced Bahrain eight years ago at this very stage. On that night, Sunil Chhetri scored a goal but India went on to lose 5-2. How will they fare tonight?
How can the #BlueTigers make it to the @afcasiancup knockouts? Here's a look 👇🏻👀#BackTheBlue #IndianFootball #INDBAH #AsianDream pic.twitter.com/VxaoRvOXtz
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 14, 2019
Welcome to the live blog of India versus Bahrain. This is the Blue Tigers’ final group stage match at the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and they know that India will qualify with a point.
Stephen Constantine’s men, however, will look to win against the West Asians and aim for an easier draw in the Round of 16.