Kolkata, Oct. 2 -- The gulf between India and five-time world champions Brazil may be enormous, but India head coach Khalid Jamil wants his players to embrace rather than be overwhelmed by the occasion, urging them to "handle the pressure", keep things "simple" and give their best when the two sides meet here on Saturday.
In what promises to be one of the biggest nights in the history of Indian football, the Blue Tigers will take on the sixth-ranked Brazil at the Salt Lake Stadium, less than a week after holding world No. 44 Panama to a gritty 1-1 draw.
"Pressure is there. I am not lying. Pressure is there. But we must take pressure," Jamil said at the pre-match press conference on Friday.
Asked about having sleepless night, he said: "Talking about sleep, everybody knows the importance of this game. And tomorrow, yes, we have to give our best."
For Jamil, the scale of the opposition should not alter India's approach.
Brazil may be one of the best teams in the world, but the Indian coach wants his players to focus on their responsibilities and avoid trying to do anything extraordinary.
"According to me, you must do simple things. Not to do extra," he said.
"We already told the player, we are playing with good team. Any mistake will cost us very badly. So, we have to give our best and be cautious."
Jamil also dismissed the notion that India can approach the contest with a 'nothing-to-lose' mindset.
"No, it is not like that. Yes, we are playing with a good team. One of the best teams in the world. But we have to take responsibility and give our best. Not to take it lightly," he said.
"The result, it is not in our hand. If you give your best, anything can happen."
The Indian coach is also leaving his tactical options open, insisting the team will respond to the demands of the game rather than decide beforehand whether to attack or defend.
"If it is required to be defensive, we have to be defensive."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.