There were some concerns for the coach, though. It was the left-flank that was troubling Houghton. He feels that left-back Mahesh Gawli isn't enjoying his position in the national team.

'Mahesh plays as central defender for his club and it seems that he is not enjoying his role as a left-back. I feel he would have been one of the best defenders in Asia had he played on the right. I have tried to do that but Mahesh only enjoys playing as a stopper. I feel he had the talent to play in Europe but now it is too late for him,' he said.

Houghton said that he would be eagerly looking for the outcome of the Thursday's match between Syria and Lebanon.

'We have a good chance of making the final. But everything will depend on tomorrow's match. It could change the equation for us,' he said.