However it has to be said that UAE failed to capitalize on India’s miseries. They were no near to a team which drowned India 5-0 in their previous meeting in November last year. Indians were unable to create any goal bound moves and went into the break 0-2.

India played a compact game as they were left with very few options in the second half.

After this loss, it will now be a huge task for India to progress to the next round as they need to beat UAE by a margin of four goals or more in the return leg on July 28th  to move to the second round. Roy and Paul, India’s number one goal keeper, will consequently have to sit out of that match at Ambedkar Stadium.

Indian coach Colaco blamed the referee for spoiling the game. "My question is, do those incidents merit a red card? In the case of Roy, the goalkeeper was behind him. He was not the last defender,” he said.

"Subrata had the ball in his hand. So he was protecting it when the player charged him. I know he lifted his leg, but who came charging? Punish him with a yellow card, but not a red card, because he had the ball with him,” he added.
He also said, "I think the red cards were unnecessary. The referee killed the game. It would have been a very nice game otherwise,” he said. "I appreciate and I congratulate UAE for winning this match, but don't forget my boys put up a spirited show because they scored just one field goal," he added, while talking at the post match session.

If India continues to carry their current form,  a huge upset probably awaits  UAE in the return leg at Delhi.