India rue missed chances

After virtually playing themselves out of the football World Cup by settling for a draw with low-rated Yemen in the Asian Zone Group 8 qualifying match in Sa'ana on Friday, the Indian team on Saturday rued their missed chances.

"The magical touch of Baichung Bhutia, who had to sit out of yesterday's match, would have changed the course of the game in India's favour," ace striker I M Vijayan, who led the side in Bhutia's absence, said before the team left for home.

Bhutia and Vijayan had formed an excellent combination in the previous matches and the acting captain said had Bhutia been there, India would as well have won the game.

"The break-up of the winning combination, Bhutia and myself, cost us dearly," Vijayan said.

Bhutia, who was shown the yellow card twice in India's 0-1 loss to the UAE in the previous match, had to miss Friday's encounter, which India drew 3-3.

Vijayan, who raised Indian hopes six minutes into the second half when his header beat the Yemen goalkeeper -- to put India 3-2 ahead, was so tightly marked by the Yemen players that the 'Black Pearl' of Indian football found it hard put to break free.

"But the inability of India to hang on to the lead resulted in the draw," Vijayan felt.

India now have two games left, against Brunei, and its chances of qualifying for the next round hinge not only on winning those two matches but also on the other results in the Group.