Indian football coach resigns post Asian Cup debacle

Indian football coach Stephen Constantine has resigned from the post following India's ouster from the ongoing AFC Asian Cup.

A draw against Bahrain in the final Group match would have led India to the knock out stage of the tournament for the first time, but a last-minute goal by the opposition kicked the national side out of the competition.

Soon after the defeat, the Indian coach said that his objective was to qualify for the Asian Cup, which he achieved, and now it's time to move on. He also thanked the players and Indian football federation for all the support during his tenure.

"I have been here for four years. My objective from day one was to qualify for the Asian Cup and we have done that. I think my cycle is finished. I did what I was asked. It is time for me to move on," goal.com quoted Constantine, as saying.

"I am exceptionally proud of the players for everything that they have given. I thank the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kushal Das, Praful Patel and Abhishek Yadav for the support that they have given me," he added.

India had started their campaign at the Asian Cup with a thumping 4-1 victory over Thailand. The victory was followed by defeats at the hands of UAE and Bahrain, leading to their ouster from the tournament.

Constantine, who had coached India from 2002 to 2005, joined the squad again in 2015. He guided the team to the Asian Cup after a gap of eight long years. His tenure also saw India break into top 100 in FIFA Rankings.