Kolkata: Ten goals in two games, spread across just three days is tough to take for any team. But India cannot say they were not warned. Ask Khalid Jamil .




It’s not without a reason that coaches have turned down proposals in the past to play friendlies against top teams, but Jamil proved to be an exception. He didn’t hesitate to play five-time world champions Brazil, world no. 20 Uruguay and World Cuppers Panama in a single window. The result: two big losses after a fighting draw against Panama at home.




“I told the players after the game that such results are part of the game and we don’t have to worry,” Jamil told TOI on Tuesday. “They have to continue giving their best, whether it’s club or country. There is no individual to blame for the losses. It’s collective responsibility.”




India ended their extraordinary window with a heavy 6-1 defeat against Uruguay. It was among the second-worst defeat at home, after the 6-0 loss against Soviet Union 35 years ago in Kerala.




The script was eerily similar to the encounter against Brazil (4-0). Uruguay, though, were sharper in front of goal, punishing individual errors and lapses in concentration.




“There’s only one big learning from this game: make a mistake and these big teams will punish you.”




There was another anomaly, one that’s hard to ignore. Uruguay scored three in the last half an hour; Brazil two, and Panama’s equaliser also came in the closing stages of the match. Jamil said India were “fine in the first 30 minutes” and got punished in the last 30. “Maybe fitness is the issue, or lack of concentration.”




India skipped the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup for expensive friendlies against high-profile opposition. Even in hindsight, Jamil was left with no regrets.




“This was a collective decision,” said the India coach. “If the results were good, everyone would say this was a fine decision. Sooner or later, we have to play against such good teams.




“I can understand there was pressure. Maybe the fact that players were here without competitive matches was a factor. Maybe my game-plan should have been better. This is not the right time to point out mistakes. I want to watch the matches again and see what we could have done better.”