Photo: Collected
Success has come on the pitch — India have reached the SAFF semi-finals by beating the Maldives 1-0. Still, there is no full relief in the team’s camp. Head coach Naushad Moosa is unhappy with the accommodation and food arrangements in Dhaka, and is particularly angry at being served the same food at the hotel every day. In Moosa’s view, organisers need to be more flexible in setting the diet of professional footballers.
At the post-match press conference, Moosa was asked about the Indian media’s complaints regarding the team’s hospitality and security. He has no objection to the security or overall hospitality; his objection is only to the food menu fixed by the organisers.
Expressing his displeasure, the Indian coach said, ‘There is no problem with the hospitality, everything is fine. The only problem is the food. As hosts you cannot say that this is what you have to eat! We are being handed a fixed set menu, which cannot be accepted.’
Moosa also explained why post-match food matters for footballers. Players cannot eat much before a match, so after the game there needs to be variety in food to restore the body’s nutrition and energy. But he complained that this need is not being met as they get the same food every day on returning to the hotel. In Moosa’s words, ‘After the match players really need good and nutritious food. On match day footballers cannot eat much, so after the game they need enough nutritious food. But we go to the hotel and see the same everyday food. The same thing is being given every day.’
For security reasons, members of the Indian team are also not getting the chance to go out of the hotel and eat what they like. Under police guard, their movement is confined to the hotel and the stadium. Moosa also regrets not being able to see the city despite staying in Dhaka. Somewhat jokingly, he said, ‘To enjoy Dhaka city you have to go out, but they have to stay confined in the hotel all day.’
The All India Football Federation is also aware of the team’s displeasure over the food quality and menu. After the complaint reached the federation through team management, discussions with SAFF are under way. Moosa said that after several rounds of talks the breakfast problem has been solved somewhat, but the monotony of lunch and dinner has not gone. So, along with success on the pitch, this discomfort off it is now also a topic of discussion in the Indian team.
Background
According to a Khel Now report of November 2026, India began the tournament by beating Pakistan 3-2 in the opening match on 5 November. After some players were called up for friendlies against New Zealand, Moosa was left with 20 players, of whom only three were specialist forwards.
A Dhaka Tribune report of November 2026 says Moosa was still unhappy with the second-half performance at the time, after conceding two goals within two minutes in added time against Pakistan.
Sources
Original report: Ajker Patrika
Background sources: Khel Now, November 2026; Dhaka Tribune, November 2026
