Khalid Jamil’s template offers promising insight

KOLKATA: In manager Khalid Jamil’s scheme of things, the game often looks pretty simple: Score a goal off a set-piece move, sit back in numbers to defend the lead and put your bodies on the line in front of goal with the goalkeeper often required to pull off some exceptional saves.Jamshedpur FC’s two-legged ISL 2024-2025 semifinals under him, which they eventually lost 2-3 on aggregate to eventual champions Mohun Bagan FC, was a case in point.Even the former defensive midfielder’s impressive debut as the Blue Tigers coach in last year’s CAFA Nations Cup — a 2-1 win over hosts Tajikistan and pipping Oman to the third-place finish in the tournament — was typical of this template.Interestingly, Jamil’s big leap from Jamshedpur’s dugout to the one for India coincided with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s return as the first-choice custodian of the goal. A penalty save against Tajikistan and another one in the shootout against Oman were a major highlight of India’s performance in Tajikistan.A year later, the Bengaluru FC goalkeeper is now the topic of the day for conceding two soft goals against Brazil in the high-profile Fifa friendly here on Saturday.Jamil mentioned “soft goals” and “individual errors” while analyzing the defeat to the five-time world champions in his post-match interaction with mediapersons but stood behind his goalkeeper as well.Gurpreet, wearing the captain’s armband, knew he would be in the firing line against players like Vinicius Jr, Estevao and Pedro. “Sometimes it happens and that’s football. It’s time to move on and prepare to give your 100% in the next match (against Uruguay),” Gurpreet pointed out.Carlo Ancelotti & Co. left the city on Sunday morning perhaps leaving Jamil and Gurpreet searching for a few answers as the battle against another World Cup winner awaits.“The more matches we play, the better we will get,” Jamil said. No arguments here.In a significant departure from what was often referred to as Jamil’s template, India were seen breaking the defensive shackles and came raiding the Brazilian box with promise and purpose, though transitorily.Much of these moves against Brazil pivoted around Ryan Williams’ mobility. With push for introduction of more OCI/PIO players gaining ground, Jamil may be tempted to become more ambitious in days to come.This promises to be a welcome shift in Jamil’s weltanschauung or world view. And one hopes it gains more prominence against Diego Forlan’s Uruguay on TuesdayStay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.