In the end, it was just a bit too much.

A journey that started off in such an amazing way.

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Our greatest win in the Asia Cup for half a century. It looked like it was the start of something special.

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And tonight, towards the end, it felt like we just might make it.

Sandesh Jhingan wouldn’t let any Bahrain player past him.

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Gurpreet, or The Great Wall of India as the commentator called him, lived up to his name.

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Wave after wave of Bahrain attacks, corner after corner. And yet, you held firm.

Every player in blue running themselves to ground, all for the cause.

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You didn’t even let a dubious indirect free kick bring you down.

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But in the end, it wasn’t enough. None of it was.

To lose to a penalty, in the 91st minute, after such a dogged display is just cruel.

Seconds away from greatness.

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But this isn’t the end of the journey. This is just one treacherous step on the way.

Don’t bow your heads, India.

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You did us proud. We’ll be waiting to cheer you on again.

News18