India lose to strong South Koreans

India suffered their third defeat in as many matches as South Korea beat the Bhangra Boys 4-1 at a rain soaked Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday, but once more India were not embarrassed by a superior opponent though the South Koreans could have scored many more against a fighting India.

It was another entertaining match involving India, who have been involved in some of the most interesting games of the group stage though we went into the tournament as the big underdogs and surely one has to applaud the Indian fans who came out once more in big numbers with India out of the tournament and the weather being terrible with it raining throughout the game.

India had to make a very early substitution as Renedy Singh, who had an outstanding match against Bahrain, suffered a calf muscle injury and had to be substituted in only the 5th minute. A minute later India once more conceded their first early goal, while yesterday the boys were down two goals by the ninth minute, but both goals looked to be irregular. First young striker Dong Won Ji scored after a player played a handball which was overlooked by the referee and his assistant and then Ja Cheol Koo looked to be offside when he chipped over keeper Subrata Pal. Around the 10 minute mark one had to fear for a heavy defeat, but India recovered as Sunil Chhetri was brought down by Tae Hwi Kwak and India got a penalty. Chhetri himself stepped up and scored sending keeper Sung Ryong Jung the wrong way.

And for the first time the Indian fans got something to cheer about, but South Korea weren't shocked by the India fightback and soon again had control of the game with chances coming in by the minute as it was a lot of work for Subrata Pal and his defence. In the 23rd minute Dong Won Ji would finish of a great piece of attacking football to make it 3-1. India had to sustain a lot of pressure with the Koreans using all kind of combinations with the Indian defence often tested, but no more goals were conceded. 3-1 down at the half was India's best result so far and once more a better second half would follow.

South Korea continued to control proceedings after the break, missing numerous chances but also Subrata Pal along with defenders Surkumar Singh, Gouramangi Singh, Anwar and Syed Rahim Nabi throwing themselves into all balls coming towards the India goal. The Koreans would only add a fourth through Hamburg teenager Heung Min Son in the 81th minute, but only after Baichung Bhutia had come on for India under the cheers of our fans. And it seemed as if Baichung's introduction was giving the Indian players added confidence as in one attack India put 20 passes together.

It ended 4-1 for South Korea, who were a goal short of the Australians to finish second in the group, while India as expected finished bottom of the group without any points and three to 13 goals. It might sound awkward but before the tournament a goal difference of -10 would have been a success and India's over performance received compliments from many present here in Doha.

Bob Houghton and the boys saw the Asian Cup as a big learning process for Indian football, only now the lessons will have to be utilised to talk Indian football forward. And we need to ensure that we will be back in the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia. As the Aussies said, they would love to welcome India Down Under for that tournament.

The next assignment will be the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers from March 20 to 31, 2011. India would have to face Turkmenistan, Pakistan plus a qualifier between Chinese Taipei and Laos. The top two from each qualification tournament make it to the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup. Lets hope we get to host the matches to get home advantage.