Kolkata: Khalid Jamil blended so effortlessly with journalists at the pre-match media interaction that hardly anyone noticed the India coach standing and listening attentively to Carlo Ancelotti taking questions in Portuguese and English.




At the end of the interaction, the India coach was asked to step forward for a customary photograph involving the two coaches. Jamil seemed hesitant, almost at unease standing shoulder-to-shoulder with one of the world’s most successful coaches, until Ancelotti held him by his hand, drew him closer and put his hand around his shoulder.




If the players get similarly star-struck when up against Brazil at the Salt lake Stadium here on Saturday, you can hardly fault them. After all, India have never played an opposition of Brazil’s stature: five-time world champions, ranked sixth in the world and the only team to have played in all 23 editions of the World Cup. India: 137 in the world, didn’t even qualify for the 24-team AFC Asian Cup .




“As a player, I wished I played against top opposition, particularly Brazil, but I knew it would never happen,” Jamil told TOI. “I still find it hard to believe that we are playing Brazil. Who doesn’t like the Brazil national team? They are loved across the world. Football means Brazil, and Brazil means football. For us, it’s a huge opportunity.”




Jamil, a former international, is living a dream. And so are the players.




“For us, it’s a very big game, with people across the world watching us,” said defender Anwar Ali , who plays with so much confidence that it almost seems unreal for an Indian footballer in international games. “We have to take responsibility for our actions. Every player must give 100% and prove themselves.”




At the pre-match media interaction inside a hall that was overflowing with reporters and photographers – without a doubt the biggest gathering any India player or coach has addressed – Khalid spoke of “pressure.” He mentioned the word eight times, more than any other, and added “responsibility” about four times.




“It’s one of our biggest games, so it’s imperative that we perform. Brazil are one of the best teams in the world. We have to give our best. When you do all you can on the field, anything can happen,” said Khalid.




Last week, against Panama, ranked 44 in the world, India took many by surprise with a fighting performance that resulted in a 1-1 draw against the World Cuppers. Brazil are cut from a different cloth; they have players from top teams in Europe, and will be led by Marquinhos, whose PSG side has won the Champions League for the past two seasons.




“I’ve told the players: do the simple things right. Any mistake and it will cost us badly.”