India head coach Khalid Jamil admits there will be pressure ahead of the friendly against Brazil, but also believes the Indian team have to follow the basics, and be defensively strong against the star-studded side.

The Blue Tigers are set to lock horns against Selecao in a monumental match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata, and ahead of that, Jamil expects the team to perform well and give their best on the pitch.

“You have to act according to the situation. The pressure is there, but according to me, we must do the simple things right. If we have to defense, we will do that, same for attack as well. As we are playing a strong team, we have to be defensively strong,” Khalid said in Kolkata on Friday.

When asked about India’s chances against Brazil, Jamil urged the fans to be at the side of the national team.

“This is an important game. I have nothing to say to critics, just want to say that everyone must support India,” the India head coach added.

Anwar Ali wants to ‘Follow Coach’s Plan’

India defender Anwar Ali also attended the press conference and the centre-back says the players will have to ‘prove’ themselves on the pitch. The defense of the Indian team will have to be at the best to contain some of the top names in world football, and Anwar stresses the importance ahead of that.

“In the last match against Panama, we did very good. We have to focus on the match tomorrow and for us, it is a very big game. I think we have to go through our coach’s plan and follow that. In the field, every player has to prove themselves and give their hundred per cent,” Anwar Ali said.

“Brazil and Panama have different tactics. In this game, maybe we will change and try to avoid the mistakes that we made in the last match,” he added.

Carlo Ancelotti and Khalid Jamil exchange

Before the Indian team’s press conference, Khalid Jamil met Carlo Ancelotti, who had just concluded his conference prior to that. The pair exchanged a warm embrace, and the legendary manager wished Jamil luck ahead of the match.

“Coach [Carlo Ancelotti] told me best of luck, and also said that we will have a chat after the game,” Khalid said about the brief meeting.

It promises to be a massive encounter for India, who come into this encounter after an inspiring stalemate against Panama. Following the Brazil encounter, India will take on another South American team in Uruguay on October 6 in Kolkata.