India came agonisingly close to sealing progression into the knockout stages of the Asian Cup but a late penalty saw Bahrain edge the contest 1-0 at the Al Sharjah Stadium.
The Blue Tigers put in a battling defensive display but Bahrain kept piling on the pressure and were rewarded when the referee pointed to the spot for Pronay Halder’s foul on Hamad Al Shamsan.
Jamal Rashid converted the injury-time penalty to fire his side into the round of 16.
Here, we rate India’s performance.
STARTING XI (4-4-2)
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – Came under pressure and didn’t look at all convincing in the first half. Better in the second, making one good save and coming out to claim several crosses. 6
Pritam Kotal – Defended his lines well and delivered a good cross in the first half which Ashique Kuruniyan couldn’t make more of. 6
Sandesh Jhingan – A rock in defence and had to step up after losing his partner. Played offside well, dominant in the air and put his body on the line. 7
Anas Edathodika – An early departure for him as a knee injury forced him off after just three minutes played. N/A
Subhasish Bose – Like his opposite full-back, was tasked with containment and barely made it beyond the halfway line. 5
Udanta Singh – The only player who looked threatening going forward. Tracked back and defended well while also proving to be a good outlet on the break. 6
Pronay Halder – The skipper defended deeper and deeper as the game wore on and conceded the penalty with clumsy challenge. 4
Rowllin Borges – Very poor on the ball. Wasteful in possession and only invited more pressure on his side. 3
Halicharan Narzary – Spent most of the game tracking Bahrain’s right-back. Did get a few tackles in. 5
Sunil Chhetri – Anonymous in this one but not entirely his fault. India just weren’t set up to utilise him correctly. 4
Ashique Kuruniyan – Ran the channels when he could but usually chased down lost causes and was replaced at the break. 5
SUBS
Salman Rajan Singh (4′) – Stepped in for the injured Anas. Took time to find his bearings but settled into the pattern of the game (defend, defend, defend). 5
Jeje Lalpekhlua (46′) – Introduced for the second half and tried to hold up play to his team some respite. 5
Anirudh Thapa (80′) – Came on for the closing stages. N/A
