Congratulations to India for a creditable second-half fightback against Australia in a thrilling 4-0 loss in the Asian Cup opener for both teams. Tim Cahill added his second goal, but that was all the Socceroos mustered as India tightened up. Cahill, Harry Kewell and Brett Holman were on target in the first half.
Credit India 'keeper Subrata Paul for a brave display. Paul had most of the Socceroo's chances covered well, and put up excellent resistance time and time again against Cahill, who went the full 90 minutes.
India's best chance came when Sunil Chettri was sent through on a longball, but defender Sasa Ognenovski and 'keeper Mark Schwarzer easily snuffed out the threat. Chettri was bullied off the ball over and over as India never had any quality possession in offensive territory.
"We are playing against the best side in Asia, playing against four boys with 200 Premiership games each," India coach Bob Houghton said. "Let's hope that qualifying for this competition is incentive for the people back home to push the game on."
The Aussies were visibly disappointed with their second-half tally of one goal. Credit also to a proud Indian crowd, which cheered any advance up the field. Indian players seemed thrilled with keeping the score respectable and the Socceroos' stars paid India a great compliment afterward.
"We knew beforehand that India were going to be dangerous," Cahill said.
"Congratulations to India, who put up a good fight," said a sporting Emerton.
All in all, it was a great moment for nations accustomed to big battles on the cricket pitch. In football, it is Australia with the superior side - for now.
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