BS News Agency: After the 1-1 draw against Panama at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, there was an increased expectation on the Indian football team. However, it was known that that expectation would not be fulfilled. Because no matter how Brazil brought its team, they are ranked 6th in the FIFA rankings. There, the Indian team's ranking is 138. It was not possible that the difference in quality between the Indian team and Brazil would be erased overnight with a successful draw with Panama. Therefore, the Indian team's defeat by 0-4 goals against Carles Ancelotti's team is not surprising. After the Brazil match, the Indian team's chief coach Khalid Jamil frankly admitted that his footballers could not play organized football like in the Panama match with Vinicius Juniors. They had to pay the price for losing the match due to several mistakes. Moreover, the problem is compounded by the fact that the substitute footballers are not able to give their best.
India's chief coach Khalid Jamil, who is very cautious before facing Uruguay, who are ranked 20th in the FIFA rankings, on Tuesday at the Yuva Bharati, said, "Brazil was a strong opponent. No less than Uruguay. Rather, they will jump to win against us with a much more aggressive attitude. Their footballers are of good quality, so is their coach (Diego Forlan) who has a lot of reputation. Moreover, he has a good idea about Indian football as he played for a club team in the ISL. So our footballers will not be relaxed against Uruguay. We had to pay the price for losing concentration in the Brazil match. We cannot repeat that in the Uruguay match. We have to keep our concentration right from the moment the match starts and give 100 percent on the field for 90 minutes. It is not that we got less time to prepare, but the recovery time after the Brazil match was not enough. Of course, there is no point in thinking about it. Rather, the team is prepared to face Uruguay, keeping in mind the mistakes of the Brazil and Panama matches.’
Will there be any changes in the team that played in the Brazil match against Uruguay? Especially against Brazil, the substitute footballers failed to showcase their skills. In that case, will they retain the same starting XI that played in the Brazil match against Uruguay at the beginning? Indian coach Khalid’s answer, ‘There are no injuries or card problems in the team. The footballers have practiced with Jose after overcoming the hangover from the Brazil match. Everyone is looking forward to playing well. I will field the best XI against Uruguay. I will try to take advantage of playing on our own field.’
Against Brazil, Indian footballers were seen taking pictures with the players of the opposing team. Especially with Vinicius. Is this kind of behavior right for professional footballers? Indian team coach Khalid’s response, ‘This is not an unusual thing. Many footballers have seen them play on TV. So when they face each other, there can be an extra excitement. But I don't think it has been reflected in the game. They are keeping their focus right for the Uruguay match.'
Indian team's sideback Akash Mishra also has a similar tone in his voice. He said, 'After the draw in the Panama match, we were all upset after conceding 4 goals in the Brazil match. After overcoming that, we are ready to give our best in the Uruguay match. We know Uruguay's power. We don't want to repeat the mistakes that were made in the Brazil match.'