Qatar squad during a training session in Nagoya.
Doha, Qatar: Qatar U-23 coach Jose Angel Lacunza believes his young side can use the Asian Games football competition as an opportunity to gain valuable experience when they face Republic of Korea in their Group D opener at Mizuho Park Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, today.
Lacunza acknowledged the challenge facing Qatar in a group that also includes Saudi Arabia, but said his players remain confident despite a demanding schedule.
“Our group is small and includes strong teams. Despite the demanding match schedule and limited recovery time, we remain confident in our ambitions,” the Spanish coach said. Qatar will face Saudi Arabia in their second and final group match on Friday, with the top two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.
Lacunza said Qatar’s squad has a blend of young players, including members of the U-20 national team, and stressed the importance of building understanding among them.
“We have a young squad that includes players from the U20 national team, and we are working to strengthen the understanding and cohesion among them,” he said.
The coach also sees the tournament as an important platform for the players to test themselves against more experienced opponents.
“We are focused on improving ourselves through training and this tournament provides a valuable opportunity for the players to showcase their talent and gain experience by competing against older players,” Lacunza said.
Qatar, who won the Asian Games football gold medal in 2006, face a Republic of Korea side with a formidable record in the competition. The Koreans have won a record six gold medals and are seeking a fourth consecutive title after triumphs in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
The football competition begins ahead of the official opening ceremony on September 19. Fifteen teams are divided into four groups of four, while Group D features three teams. The top two from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the tournament then moving into the knockout stage.
