Panaji: Seated on the bench after doing his bit for Uruguay in the first half against India, Darwin Nunez broke into applause around the 70th minute. It followed some exciting action on the field as Mohammed Sanan’s left-footer was brilliantly kept away by the keeper.Nunez, a former Liverpool striker who has moved to Saudi Arabia, was applauding Uruguay goalkeeper Thiago Cardozo. He would have appreciated Sanan’s actions too as the youngster, playing only his sixth international, left Lucas Torreira on the floor with a deft move, shifted the ball to his left and almost took the former world champions by surprise.Just like Sanan, there were encouraging moments for India against Uruguay in a game they lost 6-1 at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday. It was among India’s biggest loss at home in 35 years, the biggest loss in Kolkata, but not really surprising given that it came against a team 118 places above India in the FIFA rankings.At such a high level, the margin for error is minimal. Every time India erred, the opponents responded with a goal.“At the start, it was difficult, and then the way we played after the (inclement weather) break, we scored some good goals,” said Uruguay coach Diego Forlan. “We knew India could press, they have really good players. In the beginning, our transition and passing was a little bit slow, so India took profit of that and it was tough. Then, we tried to fix that, and in the end, we controlled the pressing.”Anirudh Thapa’s equaliser was another highlight as India matched Uruguay early in the game. Apuia was impressive in midfield and Ryan Williams stood head and shoulders above everyone else. Then, the match followed a familiar script as Khalid Jamil’s side lost steam and direction.“For all the three games, we saw that we are fine for the first 30 minutes,” said Jamil. “After that, maybe fitness was an issue, or concentration. There are many things. During the game, after that period, and then again around the 60th or 70th minute, I could see more problems.”India had an extremely difficult window, playing five-time world champions Brazil, two-time world and Olympics champions Uruguay, and World Cuppers Panama. Jamil’s side scored two and conceded 11 goals, including ten in the last two games.India were never going to measure up to the challenge against such top teams. But what everyone saw was so unlike a Jamil side: there were no double-decker buses parked at Salt Lake or Sree Kanteerava, the team was encouraged to attack and India’s shots on target improved in each game.“If the concentration is better, then we can do anything,” said Jamil.It can’t be denied that Jamil had the luxury of an extended camp to prepare the side for the three friendlies. He had time, resources too.Just how much India has learned, or improved, by playing these three expensive friendlies will be known next month. There are two friendlies away against New Zealand, who featured at the FIFA World Cup 2026. This team can hurt opponents, but should know that football games last for 90 minutes, not 30.
