Team India Coach Bob Houghton was elated as he described India's 2-1 win over Turkmenistan as one of the best of his tenure.

"I don't know how many matches we played in the last 12 months but I think this would be one of the best matches in the last 12 months, though it was played under heavy ground conditions. The boys played a terrific match. They deserve to win," Houghton said at the post-match press conference.

Houghton lavished heaps of praise on skipper Bhaichung and said that the skipper led from the front and was "fantastic".

"All the boys played very well, but Bhaichung was outstanding. He led from the front and three goals in three matches. It was fantastic," he said.

Bhaichung, who scored goals in the 54th and 80th minute to give India a 2-1 victory over Turkmenistan in their last Group A match, has been in great form throughout the tournament.

Praising the talismanic skipper, who keeps on inspiring the team with superb performances even at the age of 32, Houghton said that it is Bhaichung who has been the man behind the success of the Indian side in the AFC Cup.

"He has been in great nick and has played a very important role in all the matches.

"In the first match against Afghanistan, Bhaichung had a hand in the winning goal. After playing 90 minutes, he chased down the goal-bearing ball from near the corner and Climax (Lawrence) made the finishing touches. The commitment and hard work at his age just like the other boys was terrific," the Englishman said.

Houghton was also effusive in praising the entire side and said that the team played three games in three different conditions but remained at the top of thier game all the time.

"In the first match against Afghanistan, the opposition was an interesting bunch of players, in the second match against Tajikistan the ground was rock-hard, and not conducive to good football and today it was against a strong team and under heavy ground conditions. But the boys have come out well in each occasion," he said.

"These are a bunch of boys who are honest and have a never-say-die attitude, I am looking forward to the semifinals which will be an altogether different game," he added.