"Want more youngsters in senior team," says Naushad Moosa

Bengaluru FC will play their final group stage game of the Durand Cup 2021 on September 21 against Indian Navy.

Bengaluru FC are set to lock horns with the Indian Navy football team at the Salt Lake Stadium in their final Durand Cup group game. They currently top Group C with four points from two games so far. However, they cannot afford to lose Tuesday's match, as their group's situation is the tightest among others. Every team has the chance to qualify for the next stage and they are all in action simultaneously at 3 PM tomorrow.

Ahead of this dramatic group stage conclusion, Bengaluru FC coach Naushad Moosa spoke at the pre-match press conference.

On Blues' youth setup and performance so far

First up, Naushad Moosa shared his thoughts on the team's performance when asked about BFC's youth philosophy; particularly at the Durand Cup. He began, "If you see the way we want to have things at BFC, we want more and more youngsters from the youth setup to come up to the senior team. We don't really want to invest much on buying players from outside. We believe in grooming our own players and getting them to the senior team."

"It, of course, takes time but we need to believe in the system. Our fans as well are very supportive and understanding of the process. That way, it becomes helpful for the management to support the technical staff. So, there's not much pressure on us. Our youngsters feel more confident when they get these opportunities, so playing the Durand Cup has been really helpful. Initially, we were very hesitant because of our ISL preparations and 4-5 players participating in the SAFF Championship. Our biggest worry was having more players for training," explained Moosa.

"Most of our players from the 'B' team are training with the senior team. But now, coming here and playing such good matches is really helping the system right from the management to the coaches. Even Marco (Pezzaiuoli) is happy with the way the boys are performing. So, it's been really good for us," he added.

Thoughts on Naorem Roshan Singh

One of the Bengaluru FC's standout players at the Durand Cup has been 22-year-old Naorem Roshan Singh. Roshan has been brilliant as a left-back so far, especially since The Blues' 2021 AFC Cup campaign. Regarding this, Naushad Moosa was asked if the club had finally found a stronghold in that area after trying out several options.

On this, he responded, "When we started our AFC Cup preparations, that's when Marco felt we needed a substitute for Ashique (Kuruniyan) because of his injuries. He always gives his 100% and so there's a lot of chances of him getting injured. So, we needed someone like him who's fast and good with the ball. Last season, we were suffering on the left side. We really wanted to prepare someone in that position. It [Roshan's playing style] is really working for us, especially after the first game in the AFC Cup (Vs Club Eagles) and the next three games as well.

"If you see in the Durand Cup, he's more comfortable now. I can see that he's more confident with and without the ball. He's also one player that's good with both feet. So, that really helps us," explained Naushad Moosa.

On Bidyashagar Singh being used as a substitute

Further, Naushad Moosa was questioned about the decision to bench Bidyashagar Singh against Delhi FC; who eventually scored the equalizer after coming on. He replied, "We've just got Harman (Harmanpreet Singh) who's got back from injury, so the coach wanted him to get an opportunity to see how he performs. Last game (Vs Kerala Blasters) as well as the East Bengal game, he was really good. We wanted to give him more opportunities, so that he's also confident.

"Bidyashagar, after all, is always in the plan and we know how good he is with the scoring, which we saw last game as well. So, we have a lot of options now. We have Leon (Augustine), Udanta (Singh), Harman, Sunil (Chhetri)... which will really help us. And for the next game, we all have to see the weather, according to which we'll have to think about getting Bidya," Moosa reiterated.

Lessons from tournament

"We were a bit worried about fitness because the way Marco wants our boys to play is by having them more than 100% fit. So, these games are really helping us understand where our players stand," Naushad Moosa answered when asked about his takeaways from participating in the Durand Cup.

"Such grounds (the damp Mohun Bagan Ground) need a lot of strength and players like Damait (Damaitphang Lyngdoh) and Sivasakthi (Narayanan) proved this when given the opportunity against physically strong opponents. Now, we understand that size doesn't matter when it comes to playing football. Yes, we struggle a bit with set-pieces, but when it comes to the game part, these players are proving that they can play really good football. And the way Marco wants these boys to perform, in defence and attack, they are really doing well and catching up. They are proving to be good," he elaborated.

On younger players making first-team

Coach Naushad Moosa was then questioned on the promotion of youngsters to the main squad, especially considering some of the seniors and their form. He replied, "This is what the club tries to do with the youth setup and the reserve team. We see that players play in different positions. You see Parag (Shrivas), he can play for me as a right-back, a left-back and as a central defender, which he's currently playing. Biswa (Darjee) he's playing as a defensive midfielder. Last three years, he played for me as a left-back.

"Even Leon can be in the right and the left. Akashdeep (Singh), he can perform with us in the midfield, he can be on the wings, as an attacker, he can play as number 9...so this is what we're trying to do with BFC. So, this is the way we groom our players and get into the system. Now, Roshan who was a winger for me for the last four years is now playing as a left-back. So, you need to play football and position doesn't really matter here, which is what we're trying to do at BFC; make them play good football no matter the position," he added, emphasizing on the club's youth policy.

On Ajay Chhetri's performance

Lastly, Naushad Moosa responded to a question on midfielder Ajay Chhetri's presence and performance for the team. He said, "Ajay Chhetri is a player who has such good quality. I've been talking to him for the last four years. He has to show more hunger. If you see his body language on the field, he has to push himself more because he has everything to be there; to be a very good player. Any coach that comes, finds him too good. It's only that he needs to show his hunger to perform.

"If you see, he is controlling the midfield, but he needs to push more. That is what we feel lacks in him. If you see, for instance, Sunil at his age, he's still pushing. So if he (Ajay Chhetri) gets that, even 25% of it, I'm sure he'll be better and from there he can grow. He just needs that because as you know Robbie Fowler used to play him at East Bengal in the first eleven which means he isn't a bad player. He has to get out of his comfort zone and perform," concluded Naushad Moosa.

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