Chapecoense Under-17 players Guilherme Ricardo Puhl and Igor Henrique de Campos were part of the club’s guest appearance at the Al Kass International Cup in Doha on Monday, and both agreed that the trip to Qatar has helped the team move forward in their efforts to overcome tragedy and set future targets.      
Puhl and de Campos, who have Brazil U-17 caps to their name, took to the pitch at Aspire Academy against the Syrian Dream side. They prevailed 3-0 in a contest where on-field action became secondary to the human will to overcome adversity.
The 17-year-old duo pointed out that the match was as much about coming to terms with grief as improving technical skills, even as they seek to convert their U-17 Brazil caps to senior Seleç?o appearances before the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
“In Doha, we were representing those who lost their lives and they were supporting us for sure,” said a visibly emotional de Campos. The goalkeeper added: “It was a feeling of overcoming something big because we are coming from a tragedy that has affected everyone, not just in the club but in the city of Chapeco.” Defender Puhl agreed: “The match was important for our mental conditioning – it helped in our efforts to come to terms with the tragedy.”  
Most of Chapecoense’s senior side lost their lives in a tragic air disaster in Colombia last November as the team travelled to play the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atlético Nacional, which was seen as the biggest ever game in the history of the club.
The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) assistant secretary general Nasser al-Khater received the club’s president, Pl?nio David de Nes Filho, at the SC offices last month, wishing the club well in its efforts to rebuild following the tragedy.
Both Puhl and de Campos highlighted the footballing merits of playing friendly matches against the teams taking part in the Al Kass International Cup. “It is a highly respected tournament with great clubs from all over the world being involved, and it helps growth as a player,” said Puhl.
De Campos agreed: “We are thankful to have an opportunity to play in this tournament – it was a huge learning experience.”
The defensive stars of the Chapecoense U-17 squad also pointed out that they would be looking to return to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Doha is a very modern city and will host a good World Cup for players and fans alike,” said Puhl.
“Though the World Cup is nearly six years away, it is evident it will be a memorable one because Qatar is a developed nation with great infrastructure,” added de Campos.  
They pointed out that the second ever Asian FIFA World Cup could well provide the setting for the culmination of the resurrection of Brazilian football, as the Seleç?o will hope to emulate the achievement of Cafu’s side in the 2002 FIFA World Cup final in Japan.   
“Neymar has led by example and has driven the national team on to win the Olympic gold medal and to top the standings in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers,” said de Campos. “Youngsters [such as Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Barbosa] are shaping up well and we have a great chance of winning in 2022.”
Puhl pointed out that Brazil are constantly looking to add more silverware to an already impressive collection: “Talented youngsters are gaining valuable international experience and will be at their peak in 2022 and we have a great chance of winning our sixth title here in Qatar.”
The duo served up some more good news to fans of Brazilian football – that the five-time FIFA World Cup winners might have unearthed a centre-forward who could become the next Ronaldo. “He is the same age as us and his name is Luiz Fernando Henrique,” revealed Puhl. “He plays for Figueirense and has already been called up to the senior national team.”
De Campos added: “Luisinho is already among the best young number nines in the world and he could well be the star of the 2022 World Cup. Santos also have an enormously talented young centre-forward, Robinho, who could be a future star.”(SC.qa)