Bhaichung Bhutia at a Delhi hotel on Thursday, shortly after the Indian squad's return from the disastrous Yokohama trip. Picture by Prem Singh

New Delhi: The Indian football squad, which arrived in the capital on Thursday after a disastrous campaign against Japan in Yokohama, wore a shattered look. While most members chose to maintain a stony silence and were eager to retreat to their hotel rooms, a few like skipper Bhaichung Bhutia had forced smiles on their faces.

“We lacked both in planning and preparation,” Bhutia said. “No doubt they are a far superior side, but we could have been a little more prepared. What we did in the name of preparation here was far from adequate,” he added.

Bhutia felt there was no need to do any kind of postmortem. “They beat us in all departments of the game. And then, we played below our level.”

Chief coach Syed Nayeemuddin was far from his usual aggressive self. “After all, they are a World Cup side,” he almost whispered when AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco offered his hands. “My only consolation is that my boys played bravely and had no fear about playing World Cuppers.”

Team manager P.K. Banerjee, however, was no ready to blame anyone.

“Believe me, they were simply too good,” was his initial reaction. “I don’t blame my boys. They fought gallantly. But the difference in class was too much. Let’s see what we can do against Yemen here.”

Bhutia had a more cautious reaction on the Yemen match on Wednesday. “We have to plan and prepare in a better fashion in order to win that match. We should know how to play with the ball. No one should take things for granted.”

Meanwhile, Nayeem has called in Rajat Ghosh Dastidar, M. Suresh, Deepak Mondal and Micky Fernandes.