Sharjah: As India went down fighting against Bahrain in the last Group A match of the Asia Cup 2019 on Monday, Stephen Constantine decided to step down as the head coach of Indian football Team.The Englishman, made this announcement in the post-match press conference in Sharjah.
"I've been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and I've done that and we've broken a few records as we'd done that. I'm exceptionally proud of the players and everything they've given," Constantine said."I feel my cycle here is finished. I have left the players here in a much better place than when I arrived," he added.
This was Constantine's second stint with the Indian side after having been at the helm between 2002 and 2005. He returned to the hot seat after taking over the reins for a second time in 2015, succeeding Netherlands' Wim Koevermans. Under his guidance, India did make progress, especially in Fifa world rankings, when they saw themselves in top-100 last year.
India bowed out of the Asian Cup 2019 after they finished at the bottom of the Group A standings after suffering a 0-1 defeat against Bahrain.India needed a point to confirm their berth in the round of 16.A win for UAE against Thailand would have helped their cause. However, UAE and Thailand played out a 1-1 draw while India conceded a 89th minute penalty to Bahrain.(UNI)