30 July,2011 01:48 AM IST | | Vivek Ajinkya
Former India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia had encouraging words for the Indian team that fell out of World Cup contention with a 5-2 aggregate defeat to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He praised the team for the 'tremendous fighting spirit' they showed over the two legs before slamming the Ambedkar Stadium pitch for playing a part in India's ouster.
Bhaichung Bhutia
Bhutia believes the Blue Tigers had what it takes to over-turn a first leg 3-0 deficit and qualify for the next round had the match been played on a better pitch.u00a0
"The team has shown tremendous fighting spirit. Had the ground been better, things could definitely have been different. In our away leg, we played majority of the match with nine men and conceded only one goal during that period," said Bhutia.
Needing to over-turn a 3-0 deficit from a highly controversial first leg in Al Ain, where India conceded two questionable red cards leading to penalties, Armando Colaco's men managed to draw the second leg 2-2 in Thursday's rain-affected match in New Delhi.
The highlight of the match definitely was the waterlogged pitch that made it extremely hard for both sets of players. Jeje Lalpekhlua's 74th minute strike and Gouramangi Moirangthem's last minute equaliser was the saving grace for India after Mohamed Shehhi (40) and Ali Al-Wehaibi (71) had given UAE a double lead on the night.
