New Delhi: Naushad Moosa has taken a break. After the India U-23 coach failed to make the grade in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the former India international defender stayed back in Doha to spend a couple of days with friends. The Qatari capital was bombed on Tuesday, a day after India narrowly lost to the hosts. Was it safe for him to stay back? Moosa told TOI, “It created some panic that night but things settled down after that.” His team’s performance in the three Doha qualifiers made the people back home sit up and take notice. The social media was full of clips showing Muhammed Suhail’s impressive solo effort for the opening strike. Naushad Moosa’s boys finished fifth among the eleven second-placed teams, just one spot behind the qualification places. They won against Bahrain (2-0), drubbed Brunei 6-0 and narrowly lost to hosts Qatar 2-1. “Agreed there is lot to cheer about the U-23 boys’ display, but what concerns me is, what next? Most of them will warm the bench when they go back to their clubs. They won’t get much game time. They end up playing developmental games,” pointed out Moosa. “This lack of continuity has been a major problem for us,” he continued, “These boys need to play consistently at the senior level now. They are good enough for senior India too.” Moosa said he has related this issue with the AIFF too and can only hope it can be addressed. Moosa’s strong message to the young players is to find clubs where they can get playing time. For now, Moosa will return to Guwahati to join NorthEast United, where he is part of the coaching staff. Praising his boys for their adventurous display, Moosa said that Suhail, the most talked about youngster currently, should remain focused. “These boys should concentrate on the game but for that they have to be kept engaged with competitive games.”