AFC Asian Cup 2019: 3 Reasons why India messed up a golden opportunity to make the Round Of 16

#2 There was no 'Plan - B'

If India could have come up with an attacking mindset in the second half, the 'Blue Tigers' could walk off with their head high

India came on the pitch yesterday with a compact defence against Bahrain as the strategy of India coach was mainly to defend the sticks. Unlike their previous two matches against Thailand and UAE, India failed to browbeat Bahrain with their flashy counter-attacks.

Yesterday, only two men were up front, Sunil Chhetri and Ashique Kuruniyan (Jeje Lalpekhlua came on the pitch replacing Ashique in the second half) who failed to penetrate the opponent defence effectively.

On the other hand, in front of Bahrain's pressing football, team India's sturdy defence also appeared to be helpless in the last quarter of the second half as it felt like Sandesh Jhingan and the boys would not be able to withstand the pressure anymore.

Team India's only plan was to defend by any means which went very wrong. There were no such eye-catching counter-attacks, no build-up play up front and above all, there was no such hunger for scoring.

In front of Bahrain's relentless attack, the man who stood tall till the end was Sandesh Jhingan. He came on the pitch, he fought, he made his presence to be felt on the field, but unfortunately, he lost.

Where the Indian defenders were getting rudderless, he guarded his side just like a vigilant soldier.

This man just did not deserve to lose. If India could have come up with an attacking mindset in the second half, Sandesh Jhingan, as well as the 'Blue Tigers', could walk off the arena with their head high.

"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" - Sandesh Jhingan.