India's Football Triumph Over Bahrain

India has never beaten Bahrain in a football match. In March 2022, India lost 2-1 to Bahrain in an international friendly fixture. Rahul Bheke scored his maiden international goal for India in the 59th minute, but Bahrain's Mahdi Humaidan scored the winner in the 88th minute. India is ranked 104th in the world, compared to Bahrain's 91st. In their six fixtures prior to the 2022 match, India's best result was a 0-0 draw in 1982. However, the Indian women's football team has enjoyed more success, beating Bahrain 5-0 in an international friendly in October 2021.

India's performance in the 2022 friendly

This friendly match was part of India's preparations for the Asian Cup Qualifiers in June. India has historically struggled against Bahrain, having never defeated them in previous fixtures. Despite the loss, the 2022 friendly showed that India can compete with higher-ranked teams and will look to build on this experience going forward.

The Indian women's football team also played a friendly match against Bahrain in 2021, winning 5-0. This match was part of their preparations for the AFC Asian Cup, which India hosted in January-February 2022. The Indian women's team put on a dominant display, with goals from Pyari Xaxa, Sangita Basfore, Indumathi, and Manisha.

The Indian national football team has had a rich history, with their early years in the 1930s and 1940s marked by foreign tours and their first international game recognised by FIFA. The 1950s and 1960s are considered the "golden era" of Indian football, with the team achieving notable successes such as a gold medal at the 1951 Asian Games and a fourth-place finish at the 1956 Summer Olympics. However, the team experienced a decline in the 1970s-2000s before a resurgence in the early 2000s.

In recent years, the Indian men's team has struggled to qualify for major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and has faced challenges in the AFC Asian Cup. In contrast, the Indian women's team has been more successful, hosting and participating in the AFC Asian Cup in 2022.

Bahrain's winning goal in the 88th minute

The match was a friendly fixture, played at the Al Muharraq Stadium in Bahrain, and was part of India's preparations for the Asian Cup Qualifiers in June. India, ranked 104th in the world, faced a tough challenge against the 91st-ranked Bahrain.

The game started with an early penalty awarded to Bahrain in the sixth minute due to a handball by Indian defender Sandesh Jhingan. However, Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a brilliant save, diving to his left, to deny the hosts an early lead. Despite this, Bahrain maintained a strong attacking presence, with Mohamed Marhoon striking the woodwork and Mahdi Humaidan having another chance go wide.

India managed to equalise in the 59th minute through a header by Rahul Bheke, his maiden international goal. This was set up by Naorem Roshan Singh, who had been brought on at the start of the second half. However, Bahrain responded with relentless attacks and were finally rewarded with Humaidan's winning goal in the 88th minute.

With this victory, Bahrain maintained their unbeaten record against India, who are yet to register a win against their opponents in their football history.

India's previous losses to Bahrain

India has never defeated Bahrain in football. In their last seven fixtures, India's best result has been a 0-0 draw in 1982. Here is a summary of India's previous losses to Bahrain:

March 24, 2022

In an international football friendly, India lost to Bahrain 1-2 at the Al Muharraq Stadium. Mohammed Al-Hardan struck the game's opening goal in the 38th minute, giving Bahrain a 1-0 lead at halftime. India equalised in the 59th minute through a Rahul Bheke header, but Mahdi Humaidan scored the winner for Bahrain in the 88th minute. This match extended India's losing streak against Bahrain to seven games.

January 14, 2019

India crashed out of the AFC Asian Cup after losing 0-1 to Bahrain in Sharjah. The only goal of the game came in the 91st minute from a penalty converted by Bahrain's Jamal Rashid. Following this match, Indian head coach Stephen Constantine resigned, stating that his "cycle is finished" and it was "time to move on."

2019 Asian Cup Group Stage

In the 2019 Asian Cup group stage, India lost 0-1 to Bahrain, with the decisive goal coming in the dying minutes from a Jamal Rashid penalty. This loss knocked India out of the tournament.

India's 2022 starting XI

This lineup was chosen by head coach Igor Stimac, who made a few changes to the team that had been knocked out of the Asian Cup in 2019 by Bahrain. Notably, Stimac opted for a high press and attack-minded strategy, bringing in Naorem Roshan Singh at half-time, which resulted in India's equalising goal. However, India was unable to maintain the momentum, and Bahrain secured a 2-1 victory.

India's captain and star player, Sunil Chhetri, was absent from this match due to an injury. Chhetri, who is also the team's highest goal scorer, usually plays a crucial role in the team's offensive strategy. Despite Stimac's efforts to fill the gap left by Chhetri, India struggled to create enough scoring opportunities and ultimately suffered their seventh consecutive loss to Bahrain.

• Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Goalkeeper): An experienced goalkeeper known for his leadership and shot-stopping abilities.
• Subhasish Bose (Defender): A solid left-back who contributes to both defence and attack with his crossing ability.
• Sandesh Jhingan (Defender): A key defender who provides strength and stability at the back.
• Pritam Kotal (Defender): A versatile defender capable of playing across the backline, offering defensive solidity.
• Rahul Bheke (Defender): A talented defender with a knack for scoring goals, as evidenced by his header against Bahrain.
• Pronay Halder (Defensive Midfielder): A strong and disciplined midfielder who shields the defence.
• Danish Farooq (Offensive Midfielder): A creative midfielder with a keen eye for passing and an ability to dictate the tempo.
• Rahim Ali (Midfielder): A versatile player who can operate on the wing or as a forward, offering pace and dribbling skills.
• Liston Colaco (Midfielder): A dynamic midfielder known for his dribbling and ability to create chances.
• VP Suhair (Midfielder): A hardworking midfielder who contributes to both defence and attack.
• Manvir Singh (Forward): A clinical finisher who leads the line and poses a constant threat to the opposition's defence.

Bahrain's 2022 starting XI

Goalkeeper: Sayed Mohammed Jaffer, a consistent and reliable presence in the net, was the first-choice goalkeeper for Bahrain in 2022.

Defenders: The defence was led by the seasoned campaigner, Mohammed Al-Hardan, who provided solidity and leadership at the back. Alongside him were the likes of Kamil Al Aswad, a strong and disciplined centre-back, and Mahdi Humaidan, who contributed with crucial goals, including the winner against India. The full-back positions were occupied by Abdullah Al-Hazza and Jassim Sheikh, who offered width and attacking options down the flanks.

Midfielders: The midfield engine room was comprised of players like Mohamed Marhoon, a dynamic and versatile midfielder with an eye for goal, and Mahdi Abdul-Jabbar, who provided creativity and passing range. Waleed Al-Hayyam and Amin bin Udai added steel and energy to the midfield, supporting both defensive and offensive play.

Forwards: Up front, Bahrain had the pacey and skilful Abdul-Jabbar, who could stretch defences and create chances. He was often supported by the likes of Walid Al-Hayyam and Mohamed Marhoon, who would push forward from midfield to join the attacks.

Overall, Bahrain's 2022 starting XI showcased a well-balanced side with a mix of defensive solidity, midfield creativity, and attacking prowess. This team went on to have a successful year, winning both the WAFF Championship and the Arabian Gulf Cup, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in Asian football.

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