India may have missed a maiden qualification into the knockouts by a whisker, but former coach Stephen Constantine says the team's spirited showing in the Asian Cup football tournament has earned them respect, which they never had.
Starting AFC's continental showpiece event with a stunning 4-1 demolition of Thailand, India's campaign ended in heartbreak, as Bahrain relied on a late penalty to emerge winners here on Monday night.
One of the immediate repercussions was that a heartbroken Constantine announced his resignation.
"We were unlucky, to concede a penalty in the 91st minute is heartbreaking. But it shows everybody in India that we are capable, we have belief which we never had, we have respect which we never had and we have the determination," Constantine told PTI.
"It's there for everybody to see. I wish nothing but the best for players, for the Indian federation and for the fans who support us."
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