'I take responsibility'- Khalid Jamil speaks after India's Uruguay collapse

India suffered a 6-1 to Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium.

What was predicted by many to be an embarrassing September–October international window for 138th-ranked India, where they were set to face 44th-ranked Panama, fifth-ranked Brazil and 20th-ranked Uruguay at home, did not turn out to be that bad. In fact, following the conclusion of these games, Khalid Jamil will be left with more positives than negatives.

The window started on a high as the Blue Tigers held Panama to a 1–1 draw before heading to Kolkata. At the Salt Lake Stadium, the first game against Brazil was a decent performance that gave the fans plenty of hope going into the Uruguay game despite the 4–0 loss.

And to be fair, the Indian national team lived up to the expectations in the first half, where they were the better team for major parts of the game. They even scored a goal that gave the fans plenty of hope, with the Blue Tigers trailing just 2–1 at the half-time break. However, the second half told a completely different story, as Khalid Jamil’s side completely lost the plot and undid all the good work they had done in the previous 225 minutes, conceding four goals to eventually lose 6–1.

Let’s take a look at what the Indian head coach had to say following the disappointing loss to La Celeste.

Khalid Jamil on whether the lightning break changed the momentum

Despite conceding an early goal, India were in great control of the game in the first half and were arguably the better team on the pitch when Anirudh Thapa found the back of the net to equalise. However, the pause in the game due to lightning concerns resulted in a major shift in momentum, with India completely losing the plot after the break.

Khalid Jamil insisted that the break was common to both teams and that he could not use it as an excuse to justify the loss.

“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”, said Khalid Jamil.

Khalid Jamil on his message to the players after the Uruguay game

While many Indian football fans and football fans across the world predicted that India could concede at least 10 goals against Brazil alone, the Blue Tigers ended the international window having conceded 11 goals across three games. That number could have been much lower had they maintained their concentration and defensive structure during the final stages against Brazil and throughout the second half against Uruguay.

Following the loss, Khalid Jamil was seen addressing the group as the players prepared to return to their respective ISL clubs until they reconvene for the next camp. The Indian head coach shared what his message was to the dejected players.

“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.”, added Khalid Jamil

Khalid Jamil on the lack of concentration

While the Indian team looked defensively solid for major parts of these three games, barring the second half against Uruguay, the team still conceded 11 goals, largely due to individual errors and lapses in concentration. Khalid Jamil addressed this issue and admitted that it is something the team needs to work on going forward.

“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.

Khalid Jamil on mistakes, accountability and responsibility

Following the Brazil game, Khalid Jamil mentioned that some of the players made mistakes that should have been avoided given the occasion, and some of the same issues were visible again against Uruguay. When asked whether the players had failed to respond with better performances and repeated the same mistakes, Khalid Jamil was considerate towards his players and took some of the blame upon himself as well.

“Players do have consideration, because, pressure is there, you have to play against a good team, and you are coming here to do it without any preparation. You can say, (you are coming here) for the start of the season, you are playing against a good team, so there is pressure, and it is not like that, that player is not listening, I have never heard that. I have never felt that either. Everybody is listening.”

“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

Khalid Jamil on not going for damage control at 3–1

At 2–1, India had a real chance to get back into the game had they carried the same momentum and intensity from the first half into the second. However, once Uruguay scored their third, it began to look like a one-way contest, with India having little hope of mounting a comeback.

When asked whether he should have opted for damage control by bringing on an extra defender, Khalid Jamil insisted that he wanted his side to remain on the front foot, especially since the fixture was being played at home in front of the Indian football faithful, but accepted that his side has to improve their defensive record.

“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.”, accepted Khalid Jamil.

Khalid Jamil on changes for the upcoming NT camp

While several players impressed during the international window, there were still some who failed to live up to expectations and struggled to deliver once again in the national team colors. With the ISL set to begin and the New Zealand friendlies looming in a month’s time, Khalid Jamil insisted that the players’ performances in the league will be assessed and hinted that there could be changes going forward.

“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.”, hinted Khalid Jamil.

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