Dhanpal Ganesh rues missing the AFC Asian Cup
Dhanal Ganesh has expressed his disappointment in missing out to participate in the AFC Asian Cup due to a knee injury that he sustained during the Indian Super League’s pre-season for Chennaiyin FC. India failed to progress to the knockouts after losing their last match against Bahrain.
Footballer Dhanpal Ganesh has expressed his disappointment in missing the AFC Asian Cup held in the United Arab Emirates. Ganesh injured his left knee during Chennaiyin FC’s pre-season which led him not finding a slot in Stephen Constantine’s 23 for the event.
The Indian team had started the Asian Cup with a bang defeating Thailand 4-1 in their first match. But, they lost their momentum in the second one, losing 0-2. The Indian team just needed a draw in their final game to make it to the qualifiers but they lost their last match too thus crashing out of the tournament.
"It was my dream to play the Asian Cup. I was very happy to contribute during the qualifying rounds but unfortunately, I couldn't be there for the team when it mattered the most. But injuries do happen and as an athlete, we have to accept that.
"We exceeded everyone's expectation as a team. In all the three matches we played very well and were just unlucky to concede a penalty in the Bahrain game. Mistakes like that happen and I understand what Pranoy must have gone through after that. We still have a long way to go but our performance showed that we have improved a lot,” Dhanpal was quoted as saying by TOI.
While India has already exited the tournament, Ganesh defended the former Indian football team Stephen Constantine and stated that the latter has taken the Indian football to the next level. This was Constantine’s second stint as India’s coach when he took the reins in 2015 but resigned after India failed to make it to the knockouts of the Asian Cup.
"Stephen took India to new heights and I feel bad that I couldn't play under him as much as I would have wanted to. It's sad to see him leave because I have learnt so much from him. Both Stephen and Sunil (Chhetri) stayed in touch with me through my injury and motivated me," the midfielder added.
The Chennaiyin FC has only five points from 12 games they have played this ISL season. Hence it would be safe to say that they are out of the tournament. But, Ganesh found his consolation in another Chennai based team the Chennai City FC and stated that he is happy that the club is on the top of the I-league points table.
"I am proud of the way Chennai City FC have been playing. They are also from my city and they gave me chance to prove myself when I was injured first. I will be forever grateful to them for that. Today, they are on top of I-League and I am very happy. This just shows the kind of talent that Tamil Nadu has."
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