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Khalid Jamil lauded Brazil and Carlo Ancelotti after India’s 4-0 defeat, saying that more games against elite teams are crucial for the nation’s growth.
India players acknowledge the crowd after their international friendly against Brazil (Picture credit: AP)
Indian men’s football team head coach Khalid Jamil has said that the pedigree of his Brazilian counterpart, Carlo Ancelotti, is very good and that they have footballers who have played at different clubs as well, adding that the more the Indian team plays, the better they would become.
Despite the heavy loss, Jamil found positives in India’s performance against five-time world champions Brazil and hoped his team would get more chances to play high-profile opponents, helping the team improve with every outing.
Brazil, sixth in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, trounced India, 138th on the list, 4-0 in Kolkata on Saturday, October 4.
“Definitely, their quality is very high. Their coach is also good and they have players who have played at different clubs. To manage them is very difficult; it’s not an easy job,” Jamil said while speaking at the post-match press conference.
“It does not happen in a day; it takes time. Pressure is everywhere. But the more we play, the better. The next game is also very good for us, so we have to continue with that,” Jamil added.
The Selecao are the highest-ranked opponents India have faced since the FIFA rankings were introduced in August 1993 as well, going past previous encounters against ninth-ranked Russia in 1995 and Japan in 1998.
Jamil was impressed by India’s performance but acknowledged that the team needed to show greater strength.
“Mahesh and Thapa were very good defensively. They were very good in midfield. Williams, Sahal (Abdul Samad) and Manvir were also good. Manvir was very good one-versus-one,” Jamil said.
“Overall, it was very good, especially Williams. He tried his best. Defensively, we should be a little stronger,” Jamil added.
India’s bright start faded after Brazil broke the deadlock in the 28th minute.
Jamil felt the first goal changed the complexion of the contest.
“That is why I said concentration should be good. Till the water break, I was thinking everything would be fine. Then we conceded a silly goal. Then we conceded a second goal, so the calculation changed a little,” Jamil said.
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Ask News18Brazil defeated India 4-0 in the international friendly match held at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday, October 4, 2026.
Ask News18October 04, 2026, 11:56 IST
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