Qatar Football Association (QFA) President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani has urged Qatar’s U-23 footballers to dream big and qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
Sheikh Hamad was speaking at a function yesterday to felicitate the team which finished third in the recent Asian U-23 Championship in China.
The ceremony was attended by Ivan Bravo, Director General of Aspire Academy, Saeed al-Misnad, Technical Adviser of the National Teams Department of QFA, Talal al-Kaabi, Project Manager of the European Project for Players at Aspire Academy, the technical staff led by Spanish coach Felix Sanchez, Ali Salat, QFA Head of Media, and others.
Sheikh Hamad said: “Our Olympic team did their best and earned third place in the championship. The bronze medal is the beginning of the road and not the end of it.
“There are a large number of players in the Olympic team, who we will depend on, along with the youth team players who will take part to the next AFC U-23 Championship, which will allow them to potentially qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“I hope they will win the next Asian U-23 championship and qualify for the Olympics. The achievement in China has been the result of the hard work and effort of the technical and administrative staff as well as the players.”
Sheikh Hamad said the performance of the players was even more creditable because many of them had taken part in the high profile Gulf Cup in the preceding week.
“They were under tremendous pressure but they still challenged for the Cup and unluckily finished third. Many of them had gone directly to China after taking part in the Gulf Cup. Therefore, they deserve a lot of credit.”
He said coach Sanchez was doing a great job with the senior as well as the Olympic team and there was no need to change that.
“I don’t see that changing now. He has been doing a fine job and will continue in his dual role.”
He added that some of the Olympic team players will be inducted into the national team soon.
“These youngsters will form the basis of Qatar’s national team that will play for the country in the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he said.
Aspire Academy Director General Bravo thanked the President of QFA for honouring the Olympic team, saying: “The support of the QFA under the leadership of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani is one of the reasons for the team’s success.”
He also asked the players of the Olympic team to continue with their diligence and commitment to Qatar and make the country proud at the international level.
Coach Sanchez added that the QFA President’s words of encouragement will boost the morale of the players as they embark on their future endeavours.
“The good words spoken by the President will surely encourage the players to do better. We are touched by his concern and enthusiasm for the team.”
The Spaniard said it was unfortunate that the team lost to Vietnam via penalties in the semi-finals.
“It sure hurts but we must accept the result and move on. The players have great potential but they will surely keep their focus. We will keep pressing with our plans in our bid to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” he added.
Saeed al-Misnad also thanked the QFA President for his support for the team and his interest in this distinguished group of players.
He said: “The players of the Olympic team have made a great effort to achieve glory for their country, but at the same time they must keep improving,” he said.