India must stay alert for 90 minutes: Jamil

The Indian men’s football team ended its three-match FIFA international friendly window on a disappointing note, suffering a 1-6 defeat against Uruguay at the Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday (October 6, 2026). However, head coach Khalid Jamil’s post-match assessment focused less on the heavy defeat and more on the lack of concentration that contributed to India’s defensive lapses.

Also read | India’s fight fades as Uruguay nets six

Jamil repeatedly highlighted the need for the players to remain focused throughout the match as India played its matches against Panama, Brazil and Uruguay. Much like what it did against Panama and Brazil, India showed encouraging signs against Uruguay, attempting to press high and attack despite facing a team considerably higher in the FIFA rankings. But Jamil felt those positive spells meant little when defensive mistakes were punished.

“The key thing is that one mistake in a good game can be punished,” Jamil said, stressing the need for his players to remain sharp and alert throughout the match.

India was competitive during the opening half-hour but struggled to maintain that level thereafter.

“We were okay in the first 30 minutes. After that, maybe it was fitness, maybe concentration, the lack of which contributed to the loss. That is why we have to be more alert because we conceded more goals around the 60^th and 70^th minutes,” Jamil analysed.

Jamil also underlined the importance of preparation and collective responsibility. “Your preparation has to be good, and your concentration has to remain strong both before and during the game. There can be no distractions. At this level, even if you play a good game, one mistake can be punished,” he said.

The three friendlies have offered India both encouragement and a warning. India showed it can compete against stronger opponents in patches, but must turn those spells into sustained performances. With the New Zealand test due next in November, Jamil will look to build a more disciplined, resilient and switched-on side capable of competing for the full 90 minutes.

Uruguay coach Diego Forlan said his side recovered well after India made a positive start. “Our transition and our passing was a little bit slow at the start, so India could profit from that. Then, we tried to fix it, and as the game progressed, we controlled the pressing really well,” the former Uruguay star forward now working as the team’s interim coach said about his side’s performance.