Al AIN: Thailand’s decision to change coaches continued to prove to be a masterstroke but there was last-minute heartbreak for India at the Asian Cup on Monday.

Thailand drew against host side United Arab Emirates 1-1 to qualify for the next round for the first time since reaching the semi-finals in 1972.

UAE finished top of Group A and the pair were joined in the round-of-16 by Bahrain, who beat India 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp penalty to advance to the next round as third place finishers.

The top two nations in each of the six groups at the newly-expanded 24-team Asian Cup advance to the knockout rounds, with the four third placed teams with the best records also progressing.

Bahrain, with four points from their three games, cannot be surpassed by more than two of the third-placed teams no matter the outcome of the remaining group games.

It was a far cry from Thailand’s first match in the tournament, a 4-1 loss to India that led to the firing of coach Milovan Rajevac and the appointment of his assistant, Sirisak Yodyardthai, as interim coach.

UAE started strongly and took the lead less than seven minutes in. Ismail Al Hammadi’s attempted chip came back off the crossbar but Ali Mabkhout headed home the rebound.

Thailand started to get into the match and levelled four minutes before the break when Chanathip Songkrasin’s ball into the penalty area caused the home defence to panic, and Thitiphan Puangjan capitalised to slide the ball in.

The War Elephants finished second, a point below UAE and above Bahrain thanks to a better head-to-head record, having won the match between them 1-0.

“I was expecting a better performance,” said UAE coach Zaccheroni after his side’s draw. “We scored the early goal and controlled the game, but after scoring we conceded the equaliser. We lost concentration and didn’t take advantage of playing at home.”

COACH QUITS

India coach Stephen Constantine stepped down Monday after Bahrain denied the cricket-mad nation a historic spot in the knockout stages.

Bahrain, who hit the woodwork earlier in the match, were seconds away from going out of the tournament as India managed to fend off wave after wave of attack.

However, India captain Pronay Halder brought down Hamed Alshamsan in the penalty area and Jamal Rashed converted in stoppage time to send Bahrain into unbridled joy.

After the defeat, Constantine announced he would step down after completing his second spell in charge.

“Stephen Constantine is stepping down after this game,” said the Englishman, speaking in the third person. “I’ve been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup. I’ve done that and we’ve broken a few records. I’m exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they’ve given.

“I think my cycle is finished,” added the 56-year-old, who rejoined India for a second spell in 2015. “I did what I was asked and quite a bit more and it’s time for me to move on.”

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2019