AFC Asian Cup 2019: India vs Bahrain - 5 things we learned 

#1 More International exposure needed

India's next assignment will be the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

The entire Indian team played their hearts out in each of the three matches but they still need an extra dose of International flavour to counter themselves in crunch matches like these. Bahrain held their nerves till the end which paid off for the team at the end of the day.

Defensive play down the wire created much tension in India’s half which aided Bahrain’s frontline to press even harder in the last quarter of the game. India were the favourites to qualify for the round of 16 after the end of the first round of matches, but the following two games left them at the bottom position in Group ‘A’ where they had a chance of finishing as the second place even 5 minutes before the game ended.

Football can be harsh at times. India’s next assignment will be the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but a berth in the main event in unlikely, although an improved performance is the best we can hope!