“This is a team for the future”: Khalid Jamil on India’s Brazil, Urug…

Indian football is entering an unfamiliar phase. India are preparing for a level of competition they rarely experience in their football calendar, with Panama, Brazil and Uruguay all set to line up as high-profile, world-class opponents.

But for head coach Khalid Jamil, these fixtures are not just about famous teams. The matches are part of a larger plan to develop the next generation of Indian footballers. He speaks to Boria Majumdar, RevSportz editor-in-chief, about the marquee match-ups and the road ahead for Indian football.

Boria: A lot of people are asking why India decided to play these friendlies instead of the ASEAN Cup. What do you think of playing Brazil, Uruguay and Panama?

Khalid Jamil: These games are very important for the players. I think whatever decision has been taken is very good for them because we want them to improve. The harder the opposition, the better the learning. Brazil are in the top 10 teams in the world, Uruguay are a World Cup team and Panama are also a very good team. These are good games for our players. saltysenoritaaz.org

Boria: You’ve referred to this as a team for the future. Is that also the logic in choosing the squad?

Khalid: Yes, certainly. This is a team of the future. We have selected the best players we have available. It is a message to all too that they have to be ready. It’s not that I’m going to carry on with the same group of players. I will select whoever I deem appropriate.

Boria: Some players didn’t play in the Durand Cup. Are you going to test their fitness throughout the camp?

Khalid: Yes. The first two days are very important to check their fitness and see how they are doing. If somebody is not fit, we do that substitution quickly. If you’re not fit, you won’t be there.

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Boria: What’s your preparation for these three big matches?

Khalid: Yes, we will play matches. We could start with some local clubs and then play Panama. It is good we are playing this game before Brazil. We have less time, so we have to use it wisely.

Boria: You’re almost a year in the job now. How would you rate your first year as India coach?

Khalid: Indian football was not in good shape when I took over. We couldn’t qualify for the next round and couldn’t get the desired result against Afghanistan as well. Whatever decisions we have taken now, it is based on what we feel is needed for Indian football. If we think there’s a need for something, we’ll do it.

We need new players, especially mentally strong players for these games. Confidence is important, but fitness is important as well. We need all of your support. No negativity in the air. All for India.

Boria: How do you motivate Indian players when they are playing against teams like Brazil, considering the huge gap in rankings?

Khalid: In football, anything is possible. The importance of the 12th man, the crowd. They can do wonders if they help the players and make them confident. The players that we picked are motivated. We have to motivate them all the time. As long as you are happy and confident in your mind, you will do well.

Boria: Are you pleased with the young talent coming through in Indian football?

Khalid: Yes, everybody is fine. They are very good players and they work hard. The players in India are very hard-working. The main thing is everybody has to be happy in his mind. We can’t put too much pressure on them. I’ve told the players to keep their confidence and do their best.

Don’t think negatively and don’t speak negatively. You have to support each other. For these matches, we need everyone’s support because this can be a very good thing for Indian football.

(Transcribed by Somnath Roy.)

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[popcorn number="14-3" desc="India’s win-loss record against Pakistan across 17 women’s T20Is; India have won their previous four encounters" class="Default"]

Having already made the semifinals, a far superior India will be expected to step up the intensity against traditional foes Pakistan in their final league game of the Women’s Asia Cup here on Saturday.

Men or women, routinely scheduled Indo-Pak fixtures in multi-team events have not lived up to the off-field hype for a while now.

Nothing different is expected when the two teams meet at the Dubai International Stadium with title favourites India expected to steamroll Pakistan. Ahead of the game, both India openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma looked at the top of their game. Mandhana broke a battery of records against Hong Kong en route a memorable hundred.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Youngest Player To Score Hundred in T20I: नामीबिया में खेली जा रही ट्राई नेशन सीरीज के छठे मुकाबले में साउथ अफ्रीका के लुआन-ड्रे प्रीटोरियस ने शतक जड़कर टी20 क्रिकेट का इतिहास बदल दिया। वह टी20 इंटरनेशनल में सबसे कम उम्र में शतक जड़ने वाले बल्लेबाज बन गए। प्रीटोरियस ने 53 गेंद में 101 रन की पारी खेली, जिसमें 8 छक्के और पांच चौके शामिल थे। इस दौरान साउथ अफ्रीका ने 20 ओवर में 4 विकेट गंवाकर 228 रन बनाए और नामीबिया की टीम सिर्फ 217 रन बना सकी और 11 रन से मुकाबला हार गई।

Seville [Spain], September 5 (ANI): Real Madrid suffered their first defeat of the La Liga season after losing 1-0 to Real Betis at La Cartuja, with Cucho Parrott’s second-half rebound proving decisive in a closely contested encounter.

Madrid started strongly and created two clear opportunities inside the opening 15 minutes. Arda Güler’s cross found Dean Huijsen, whose acrobatic effort was denied by the Betis goalkeeper, before Vinicius Jr.’s strike from a tight angle hit the post following another dangerous delivery from the Turkish midfielder.

The visitors continued to threaten, with Jude Bellingham creating a major chance just before half-time. The England midfielder’s through ball released Vinicius, who set up Kylian Mbappe inside the box, but Betis defenders blocked both attempts from the French forward.

Madrid came close again in stoppage time before the break when the Betis goalkeeper saved Bellingham’s header, while Huijsen’s follow-up effort struck the crossbar.

The tempo dropped after the interval, but Madrid remained dangerous. Mbappe missed a chance after Huijsen’s interception set him up in the box, while Thibaut Courtois denied Betis’ Deossa with a fine save.

However, Parrott reacted quickest to score from the rebound in the 80th minute after Courtois had stopped a header from a corner, giving Betis the lead.

Madrid pushed for an equaliser late in the game. Mbappe’s attempted chip struck the crossbar, while a goal from Jesus Fortea was ruled out for offside.

In stoppage time, Madrid were awarded a penalty after Vinicius Jr. was brought down inside the box. Mbappe stepped up, but goalkeeper Valles saved the spot-kick to preserve Betis’ advantage.

The result marked Real Madrid’s first defeat in La Liga this season, while Betis secured a memorable victory against one of the title contenders. (ANI)

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