India left-back Akash Mishra admitted to spending a sleepless night after the Blue Tigers were beaten 0-4 by Brazil at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, and has now shifted his focus entirely to the upcoming group-stage clash against Uruguay on Tuesday. The 24-year-old defender spoke candidly at the pre-match press conference, laying bare the emotional toll of the heavy defeat while underlining India's determination to finish the tournament on a strong note.

A Night Without Sleep

Mishra left no doubt about how deeply the Brazil result affected him. 'I didn't sleep. I was watching the game all night. I slept in the morning, and then I had to wake up early and do my recovery,' he said at the presser. In a telling detail about his headspace after the loss, Mishra revealed he chose not to exchange shirts with any Brazilian players at the final whistle. 'As I said, I was feeling really bad after the loss, so I didn't. Now, maybe (he would do it). But after the game, I was not feeling good,' the left-back added.

Turnaround Challenge Against Uruguay

India face a tighter recovery window than their opponents heading into the Uruguay fixture. The Blue Tigers played their previous match just three days before Tuesday's clash, while the Diego Forlan-led La Celeste have been stationed in Kolkata for six days. Mishra, however, refused to lean on that disparity as justification for any shortfall in performance. 'This is what the game demands from the players. We have to play whether it's two days or three days. We have to be ready to perform well,' he said.

India's Resolve Heading Into the Final Group Game

With two matches played and one remaining, Mishra stressed that the squad is not treating any opponent as a formality. 'There is nothing like we were only prepared for Brazil. We know the capabilities of all the teams, and we have to perform at our best level. Two are done, one more to go, and we have to finish on a very, very good note,' the defender said. The remarks reflect a squad intent on salvaging pride and momentum from the tournament, regardless of the Brazil setback.

Coach Khalid Jamil Flags Uruguay Threat

India head coach Khalid Jamil underscored the physical and tactical dangers that Uruguay — a former two-time champion — pose. 'As I said, they are physically strong, so we have to match them. Tactically also, they are good,' Jamil said at the press conference. He added a pointed caution: 'One mistake will cost us very badly. We have to be very careful.' The coach's tone indicated that India are approaching Tuesday's fixture with heightened discipline and tactical awareness after the heavy margin of defeat against Brazil.

What's at Stake

The match represents India's final opportunity in the group stage to demonstrate growth as a footballing nation on home soil. A resilient showing against Uruguay — irrespective of the scoreline — could provide a confidence-building foundation ahead of future competitions. All eyes will be on Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday to see whether the Blue Tigers can back their words with a commanding performance.