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AIFF Chief Says India Can Improve After Uruguay Defeat

AIFF Chief Says India Can Improve After Uruguay Defeat
'More They Play, More They Improve': AIFF Chief Kalyan Chaubey Defends India Following 6-1 Defeat To Uruguay · republicworld.com

India played Uruguay in a football match and lost 6-1.

Anirudh Thapa scored India’s only goal.

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey praised how India started and how confidently the players worked.

He said a rain break after the score became 1-1 may have interrupted India’s momentum.

Chaubey believes playing strong teams can help India improve.

West Bengal Minister Indranil Khan also said the match gave Indian players important experience.

Khan praised their effort but said politics had hurt football in West Bengal.

The match was played at Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.

Key facts

Result
Uruguay defeated India 6-1.
Venue
Salt Lake Stadium.
India scorer
Anirudh Thapa.
Rain interruption
Chaubey said play was stopped for 20 minutes after the score became 1-1.
Chaubey’s assessment
He praised India’s start, confidence and work rate, and said tough matches can help the team improve.
Khan’s assessment
He called the match a major experience and milestone, while alleging political interference and nepotism had harmed West Bengal football.
Scoring milestone
Thapa was described as only the second Indian to score against Uruguay in a senior international, after Manas Bhattacharya in 1982.

Quotes

Kalyan Chaubey

President of the All India Football Federation

“We witnessed history being made; our Indian national team played against top-tier footballing nations—powerhouses like Brazil or Uruguay. We believe the Indian national team can truly compete at that level. For us spectators, as well as for the Indian footballers, this was a massive experience—a huge opportunity, significant exposure, and, I think, a major milestone for Indian football... The Indian team tried to convert several opportunities, though luck wasn't on their side today.”
rediff.com republicworld.com
“They played against players from top global clubs, and the more they play such tough matches, the more they will improve. That is the very purpose of international friendlies: to test the team's strengths and weaknesses so they can perform well in the main competitions later on. I believe this team has immense potential... We saw how hard they worked on the pitch, and the best part was their confidence”
rediff.com republicworld.com

Sources

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