Everyday I learn how to manage pressure and deal with crisis, states Naushad Moosa
BFC
Bengaluru FC Assistant coach Naushad Moosa has stated he learns something every day after reminiscing about his journey that saw him become a coach from a player. He further talked about the Indian footballing scenario, his experience in the Bengal derby and his team’s performance in the Durand Cup.
Having donned the jerseys of Air India, Churchill Brothers, East Bengal, Mahindra United, and Mohammedan Sporting SC in his playing days, Noushad Moosa has revealed the moment first decided to become a coach.
"Biswajit Bhattacharya was my coach during my days at MSC. He told me it was the right time for me to start training. That was the day I made the decision,” he told TOI in an interview recently.
After stints with Mumbai FC’s youth side and Air India, the AFC pro-licensed coach has since led Pune FC Academy to two consecutive U-20 I-League titles. He is now in charge of the young charges at Bengaluru FC, serving as the club’s reserve team’s head coach and the i=first team’s assistant coach since 2017. Last year, he helped Albert Roca guide the team to the ISL title in its debut season in the league.
“Man management is something I learned from my training period. Every day is a learning experience for me; how to manage pressure and deal with crisis situations. I learned a lot from Roca, which is helping me now. I used to watch how he trained the senior team and also the youth,” revealed Moosa.
Moosa called for the organization of more youth-level tournaments by AIFF, before saying he favoured a combined league for the country.
“The federation should seek to have more tournaments in India at levels U-18 and U-20, which will help produce more talents. This will eventually help build our national team. I would like to see a league in the country. A league that would have 18-20 teams, which would last almost a year. This would also help young Indian players to have more game time,” he stated.Â
As a player, his most successful stint came with East Bengal with whom he started with career and got to play a part in Asia’s oldest and most iconic rivalry, the Bengal derby.
“There is so much action involved. The hot and humid conditions are challenging, in addition to the pressure of the crowd; I have played matches in Goa, but there is no comparison when it comes to matches between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. There is nothing like the Calcutta derby,” he recalled.
His team is currently participating in the Durand Cup in West Bengal but a draw against Army Red and a loss to East Bengal means they are already knocked out of the tournament.
“We met a few days before the start of the Durand Cup. The boys showed character, passion and gave everything in the competition. We played well against Army Red and against East Bengal, we started well, but we had bad luck having ended up on the losing side. But young players proved against a hard quality side that they belong to this level. I am happy with their performance and are motivated to finish the campaign on a winning note,” Moosa concluded.
