by Abhishek Gujral

Well, we might as well take a deep breath: yes, it happened, it was not a nightmare, it was for real, and we have to live with it.

The last few days have been somewhat traumatic for Indian football fans the world over. It was a huge occasion: 57,000 passionate Indians from across the globe packed into the Nehru stadium at Kochi, to watch the resurgent Indians take on the might of Oman in Group 3 of the Asian Qualifying Round for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Doesn't get any bigger does it? Let's not be under any false impressions: Oman is ranked 68th in the world, a mere 72 places above India! Yet, there was an uncanny wave of optimism around the country. Our boys had beaten Singapore in the previous game, clubs were performing well on the continental stage, the juniors had done well abroad - Indian football in general was on a high.

Of course, what followed on that fateful March 31 left the country shell-shocked - our boys came up with one of the worst performances ever by an Indian side, and were humiliated 1-5 by the skilful Omanis. Oman is clearly a far superior team, but the fact that India failed to even put up a fight leaves one devastated. The players seemed overawed by the occasion, and the passing was atrocious. Even the normally resolute defence was in tatters, with the ever-reliable Deepak Mondal having a horrendous outing. Some other players too, need to take a long hard look at themselves - and yes; I am referring to the shockingly poor Alvito D'Cunha, the invisible James Singh and the listless Abhishek Yadav. Mind you, it's a team game and everybody under performed - but these three deserve 'special' mention for their dreadful outings. Oman played a fast brand of football, with quick passing and swift movement - they were running rings around our boys, who had no clue what hit them. One could not help but feel sorry for our coach Stephen Constantine - he seemed equally shell-shocked, and stared in disbelief as we conceded one silly goal after another. It's not the loss that hurts - we were always going to be up against it. It's the manner of defeat that hurts; it's the lack of fighting spirit that hurts. The mighty Japanese are next on the cards - I wonder if they are rubbing their hands in glee and waiting in anticipation?

Our juniors, in Pakistan for the SAF Games, were determined not to be over-shadowed by the seniors and had plans of their own. They came up with an equally forgettable performance, and were stunned 0-1 by Pakistan in the final match of the football event. Never mind the fact that our U-20 side was up against U-23 sides of other nations. We still played poorly and deserved to lose. Great things are expected from this side - they played well in the Milk Cup, and even won the Ian Rush Trophy a few months ago. However, the display in Pakistan was pathetic to say the least - we could have easily lost the final by 3-4 goals, and were thoroughly outplayed by a suspiciously overage looking Pakistani team. Once again I repeat, it's not the defeat that hurts - it's a sport and one team has to lose. But the fact that our boys play to about 25% of their potential is what hurts. Is it too much to expect some steel out there? After all, you are playing for your country.

It has been very depressing writing this article, as you can well imagine! I just have one thing to say to our boys before they take on Japan - you have let your country down, and you have let your fans down. You have even let your coach down. Now's let's make up for it shall we? Never mind the result - let's just go out there with a big heart, and show them what we are made of!