Bengaluru: Khalid Jamil does not follow everything that is said about him on social media, but he has a pretty good idea how fans have reacted to some recent performances of the national team.India’s failure to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup, the big blank at Unity Cup, lack of wins in Tajikistan have invited criticism from fans and pundits. The India coach knows brickbats are part of the job; he doesn’t mind, but some, he feels, have hit below the belt.“As long as the criticism is constructive, I am fine with it,” Jamil told TOI in a recent video call. “People with knowledge about football know what’s happening with the national team, why we have not been able to put together a string of wins. I don’t like when people criticise for the sake of it.”Jamil will be under the lens again as India play three friendlies during this FIFA international window, starting with Panama at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Friday.Central America’s lone participants at the FIFA World Cup 2026 are the lowest-ranked opponent at 44, paling in comparison to five-time world champions Brazil and heavyweights Uruguay. There are, however, almost 100 places separating the two teams, yet the former India midfielder believes his side can catch the visitors by surprise.“Panama is a very good team, no doubt about that, but we cannot forget that we are playing at home. We must believe in ourselves and play attacking football. What happens on the field will dictate our gameplan, but I am positive. The crowd will be a big factor. They will be our 12th man, pushing us to secure a good result,” said Jamil.Panama have arrived here in batches from a dozen-odd countries. At Wednesday’s evening training session, there were 18 players on the field; five were said to have missed their flights and will join on Thursday, while three, including Norwich City defender Jose Cordoba, pulled out due to injuries.Coach Thomas Christiansen opted not to call up replacements for the three missing players.The last time India played at Sree Kanteerava, the crowd helped the national team punch above its weight and win the SAFF Championship 2023. There were back-to-back wins against strong Lebanon and Kuwait sides. This time around, all that the West Block Blues, Bengaluru FC’s vociferous fan club, promised was “an empty stadium” due to higher prices, not in tune with the comparatively lower profile of the opponents.According to sources, less than 6,000 tickets have been sold so far.Ticket sales typically pick up on the eve of the match. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is hoping fans will have a change of heart and back the blues when they march out at the Sree Kanteerava for a hopefully memorable Friday night.
