Football

Khalid Jamil backs India to rebound against Uruguay following Brazil defeat

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 5, 2026, 21:57 IST

India head coach Khalid Jamil remains confident in his squad's ability to recover quickly as they prepare to face Uruguay in their final friendly match following a tough loss to Brazil.

Khalid Jamil backs India to rebound against Uruguay following Brazil defeat

India head coach Khalid Jamil has expressed confidence in his squad’s resilience as they prepare for a challenging turnaround against Uruguay. Following a difficult 0-4 defeat to Brazil at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, the national team faces a demanding schedule with only three days of recovery before their next international friendly on Tuesday.

Despite the heavy loss to the five-time world champions, Jamil remains optimistic about his side's mental and physical readiness. The coach emphasized that his players are professionals who understand the requirements of international football, noting that the short window between matches is a challenge they are prepared to meet head-on.

Tactical focus against Uruguay

Looking ahead to the clash against the two-time World Cup winners, Jamil acknowledged the high caliber of the opposition, who are managed by Diego Forlan. The Indian head coach highlighted the importance of defensive discipline, specifically warning his team against the dangers of conceding early goals. He stressed that against a side as organized as Uruguay, even minor lapses in concentration could prove costly.

Jamil also addressed the logistical side of the upcoming fixture, noting that decisions regarding substitutions will be finalized following pre-match meetings. While the team is still processing the result against Brazil, the focus has shifted entirely to executing a disciplined performance against their next South American opponents.

Player perspective on the international window

Left-back Akash Mishra echoed his coach's sentiments regarding the tight schedule, maintaining that the squad is focused on the task at hand rather than dwelling on previous results. Mishra noted that the excitement surrounding the match against Brazil—which saw players interacting with stars like Vinicius Jr.—was a natural reaction after the final whistle, but insisted that the team maintained full professional focus during the 90 minutes of play.

Mishra emphasized that the team’s preparation was not centered solely on the Brazil fixture, but rather on the collective challenge of facing high-quality international opposition throughout this window. As the Indian Super League season approaches, the defender also highlighted the importance of consistent competitive match time in helping the squad reach their peak performance levels. India now looks to conclude their three-match friendly series on a positive note when they take to the pitch on Tuesday.