Khalid Jamil accepts responsibility after India’s 6-1 home defeat to Uruguay
India coach Khalid Jamil accepted responsibility after his side collapsed to a 6–1 home defeat by 20th-ranked Uruguay during the September–October international window, a run that followed a 1–1 draw with 44th-ranked Panama and a 4–0 loss to fifth-ranked Brazil at the Salt Lake Stadium.
The window had begun positively as the Blue Tigers held Panama to a 1–1 draw before travelling to Kolkata, and the Brazil game at the Salt Lake Stadium was described as a decent performance despite the scoreline. India led and trailed in the Uruguay match, with Anirudh Thapa equalising to make it 2–1 at half-time, but the side conceded four goals after the break to lose 6–1 and undo what they had achieved in the previous 225 minutes.
India were the stronger side for large portions of the first half against Uruguay, but a pause in play for lightning coincided with a momentum shift after the break. On that interruption and the second-half collapse Jamil said: “It is not like that; it happened to both the teams. I cannot say that, but as a player, sometimes it happens, it rains, then you have to stop, many things are there, but I cannot say that the rhythm is broken, no. (We lacked) Concentration, just as I said in first game, concentration again, same thing”.
Across the three fixtures the Blue Tigers conceded 11 goals, a total some observers noted could have been higher given pre-window expectations about the Brazil fixture. The team’s defensive issues were attributed in the report to individual errors and lapses in concentration, a problem Jamil stressed must be addressed: “Preparation should be good, before the game and during the game also. Concentration should be good; no distraction should be there. The first 30 minutes of the matches we are okay, after that, maybe fitness, maybe you can say concentration, many things are there, so that is why during the game, during 60-70 minutes, we conceded more goals. So we have to think about it next time. When you play with good team, only one mistake could turn into a goal, so that is why you have to be alert all the time.”, stressed Khalid Jamil.
Speaking to the squad as players prepared to return to their respective ISL clubs until the next camp, Jamil sought to protect his players while taking collective responsibility himself. “I told them, this is part of the game, go for the club and give your best, because after two days they are playing matches, so I told them, nobody thinks that because of you we have lost, it is a collective mistake.” He added: “Talking about this game, yes, my plan was not up to the mark. Many things are there, but we have to solve the problem immediately. In terms of concentration, we lack concentration, not only players, even me. So, that is why, I have to give good instructions. But, talking about the collective, it is always as coach, we have to take the responsibility, whatever result is there. This is not a good time to blame anyone.”, insisted Khalid Jamil
Jamil also reflected on tactical choices in the Uruguay match and accepted defensive shortcomings, saying: “We didn’t make the defense strong, because from the start we thought that we want to go attacking because we are playing home ground and it is a friendly. But sometimes yes, defensively we have to be strong, this is number one. It is very bad that in 2 matches,10 goals (conceded), not good. Not to blame anyone, as I said, it is my mistake.”
With the Indian Super League due to begin and New Zealand friendlies scheduled in roughly a month’s time, Jamil indicated changes are likely after evaluating players in domestic competition: “We need to do more camps. All the players are at the same level, but we have to choose the correct player. Because this is the start of the season, and after that we are going to play in New Zealand, that is also a big game. We will see, after we played these three matches, definitely there will be a change.”
Players will return to their ISL clubs immediately and will reconvene for the next national-team camp ahead of the New Zealand friendlies, with Jamil signalling that squad selection and preparation will be reviewed following the three-match international window.