'I hate VAR' — but Moosa hopes it helps India in SAFF final

India may have booked their place in a record 14th SAFF Championship final, but head coach Naushad Moosa was left unimpressed by the tournament's first-ever use of VAR, bluntly declaring, "I hate VAR" after a dramatic 2-1 semifinal victory over Bhutan at the National Stadium today.

The technology overturned an offside decision to allow Bhutan's second-half goal before cancelling a penalty awarded to India, making it a major talking point in the contest.

"I didn't like it, somehow I didn't like it. One goal, one penalty. So I hate VAR," Moosa said.

However, the India coach appeared to soften his stance when asked whether he welcomed VAR's introduction, suggesting it could work in his team's favour in the final.

"It's good, maybe advantage for me for the next game, hopefully," he added.

India looked set for a comfortable victory after Vishnu P. V. and Chinglensana Singh Konsham scored within the first 27 minutes of the match. But Bhutan fought back after the interval, with Kinzang Tashi Tobden's 48th-minute header setting up a tense finish.

Moosa admitted he was still searching for answers to India's recurring second-half struggles.

"This is what I was also asking them, the same question I ask," he said when asked why his team repeatedly failed to maintain their first half intensity.

"Let me take it in a positive way; I think we defended well in the second half," he added.

The India coach also urged his forwards to remain focused despite missing several opportunities to kill off the contest.

"You can miss 100 chances, you can score one and you can be a hero, but what is more important is you give your best," he said.

Moosa also praised Bhutan's young players, predicting they could become a stronger force in South Asian football.

"Another two, three years, the way these youngsters are playing, you will see Bhutan," he said.

He also acknowledged Pakistan's progress, saying: "Today it's not the same Pakistan, they are much, much better."