Khalid Jamil urges India to stay focused ahead of Uruguay friendly

Khalid Jamil, head coach of India, urged his players to maintain concentration ahead of the international friendly against Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. He warned that even a single mistake could prove costly against an opponent strong at both ends of the pitch.

Jamil made the remarks at a press conference in Kolkata that featured defender Akash Mishra; a photograph from the event was credited to K.R. Deepak. The report carrying his comments was published on October 05, 2026 at 08:50 pm IST. In the briefing he acknowledged the quality and experience of the Uruguayan side.

Explaining his emphasis on focus from the first whistle, Jamil said, "Against Uruguay, we have to start with good concentration and maintain it from the first minute till the end of the game. We have to believe that we can get a good result," he added.

Jamil underlined the role of the result in boosting morale and linked the match to longer-term plans for the national team. "The result is also important because if you get a good result, it gives the team confidence. But we also have a plan to build a strong team for the future," he said while adding that the fixture is part of the long-term effort to build a strong national team.

He described Uruguay as a two-time World champion side and cautioned that their experience means lapses would be punished, reiterating the need for concentration throughout the game.

India will meet Uruguay in the international friendly at Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.