AFC Asian Cup 2019: We showed that we belong here, says defender Sandesh Jhingan after defeat to Bahrain

The Indian Football Team lost by a solitary goal against Bahrain at the Sharjah Stadium on Monday to finish bottom of Group A with three points, crashing out of the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

India were left shell-shocked after 0-1 loss to Bahrain. (Twitter/IndianFootball)

India lost by a solitary goal against Bahrain at the Sharjah Stadium on Monday to finish at the bottom of Group A with three points. Courtesy of an injury time goal by Jamal Rashed, the BlueTigers were sent crashing out of the AFC Asian Cup 2019. India were on the verge of booking their maiden knock-out round berth in the continent’s biggest stage as the scoreline remained 0-0 till the 90th minute when captain Pranoy Halder brought down a Bahrain’s Hamad Al Shamsan down in the box leaving the referee with no option but to point to the dreaded spot. Jamal Rashed’s 91st-minute penalty broke Indian hearts as the opponents ran out eventual winners, after a solid defensive performance from Constantine’s men.

January 14, 2011 – 🇮🇳 2-5 🇧🇭
January 14, 2019 – 🇮🇳 0-1 🇧🇭

We’ve come a long way and there’s still a long road ahead. We shall continue to fight! ✊#INDBAH #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball #AsianDream #BlueTigers

📷: AFC Media pic.twitter.com/akCPq0oFnA

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 14 January 2019

Reflecting on the bitter defeat defender Sandesh Jhingan, said, “We defended like warriors & the defeat is really hard to take. Disappointed seeing how it turned out but we can only go upwards from here. Proud of the boys and we thank the fans for their support.”

“Nobody expected us to do so well and we showed that we belong here. However, football is a cruel game sometimes,” he added.

Stephen Constantine also resigned from his position after a serving for fours years in his second stint. In an emotional press conference, the Englishman said, ”

“I’ve been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and I’ve done that and we’ve broken a few records as we’d done that. I’m exceptionally proud of the players and everything they’ve given.”

“To go out in the 90th minute with a penalty… it’s really tough. The boys gave everything, I don’t think we created as much as we normally do. The boys are sick as you can imagine and I am disappointed for them. They gave everything they could in the last few games,” ESPN quoted him as saying.