Archive · 7 Oct 2026
AIFF Chief Says India Can Improve After Uruguay Defeat
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.
India lost 6-1 to Uruguay at Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday.
Anirudh Thapa scored India’s goal, becoming only the second Indian to score against Uruguay in a senior international.
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey praised India’s start, confidence and work rate.
Chaubey said a 20-minute rain interruption after India’s equaliser may have affected the team’s momentum.
West Bengal Minister Indranil Khan called the match valuable exposure and alleged political interference had harmed football in the state.
- Who
- India and Uruguay; comments were made by AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and West Bengal Minister Indranil Khan.
- What
- India lost 6-1 to Uruguay, with Anirudh Thapa scoring India’s goal.
- When
- Tuesday; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- Salt Lake Stadium.
- Why
- The articles report the match and reactions to it; Chaubey and Khan said playing top-level opponents provides valuable experience for Indian football.
Positive assessment
Concerns and criticism
India’s performance and development
Positive assessment
Chaubey praised India’s strong start, confidence and work rate, and said regular matches against top opponents can help the team improve.
Concerns and criticism
India suffered a 6-1 defeat; the articles also note that Uruguay regained control and dominated after Thapa’s goal.
Rain interruption
Positive assessment
Chaubey suggested the 20-minute rain delay after India equalised may have disrupted the team’s momentum and said the result might have been different without the pause.
Concerns and criticism
The articles provide no opposing official assessment of the interruption’s impact; Chaubey’s explanation is presented as his view.
Politics in West Bengal football
Positive assessment
Khan argued that politics should not enter sports grounds and alleged political interference, cut-money syndicates and nepotism had damaged football in West Bengal.
Concerns and criticism
The articles include no response from the Trinamool Congress or the CPM to Khan’s allegations.
- 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.
