New Delhi: Failure to play for a draw cost India three points against Hong Kong, lamented head coach Manolo Marquez after a 1-0 loss in their AFC Asian Cup qualifier.
India conceded a stoppage time penalty to be rooted to the bottom of Group C with only a point after two matches, jeopardising their chances of qualifying for the continental tournament.
Ranked 26 slots below the 127th ranked India, Hong Kong have jumped to the top of the group with four points after two games, ahead of Singapore on goal difference while Bangladesh are third above India on GD.
As only group toppers qualify for the Asian Cup, India have a mountain to climb with four group games left.
Speaking about the loss, Marquez pointed out that a draw would have been a fair result, but an error from keeper Vishal Kaith changed the narrative.
“I repeat again, it’s for me a very equal game and unfortunately for us, practically in the last action, we lost at least one point and Hong Kong have three points. I told in the dressing room, obviously we want to win.
“But sometimes the team doesn’t know how to draw. And today, if you couldn’t win the game before the minute 90-91, at least try to be in a position to avoid the defeat. But I feel that India is still in the fight,” he said.
India’s failure to put the ball in the net was again the prime reason for the disappointing loss but Marquez chose not to blame the players but admitted they are nervous when they find themselves in front of the goal.
“I cannot say nothing negative about the players. I think that the effort was there, the attitude was there, the plan of the game was there. In some moments, I feel that we can play better with the ball and be more brave,” he said.
“But this is about the situation that the team is not winning and the players are a little nervous. In some actions that the pass is clear, we are a little nervous.”
Bhutia blasts AIFF president
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia blamed the All India Football Federation and its president Kalyan Chaubey for the debacle.
“It’s very painful to see… we are definitely struggling now to even qualify for the Asia Cup, which we’ve been qualifying for regularly,” Bhutia told PTI.
“Countries like Uzbekistan, Indonesia (likely qualifiers based in current form) and Jordan have qualified for the World Cup, and we are still struggling for the Asia Cup. Very unfortunate,” he observed.
“Kalyan Chaubey has destroyed Indian football. Chaubey has to resign and leave. He has completely destroyed it. Three General Secretaries in two-and-a-half years — the entire structure, the system will have to be changed.
“Controversy after controversy, corruption charge… even after months now we don’t know who the I-League winner is,” he added even as Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers battle in courts for the championship.
“There is nothing happening at the grassroots. It’s all negative news off the field, and that reflects on the national team’s performance.”
Bhutia questioned AIFF’s decision to offer a $50,000 incentive bonus before the Hong Kong game instead of linking it to qualification.
“You’re paying Rs 42 lakh for one game. Why not link it to qualification? It just shows how clueless the management is,” he said.
India conceded a stoppage time penalty to lose to Hong Kong and are rooted at the bottom of Group C with only a point after two matches, jeopardising their chances of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
