26 Feb 2025
Aspire Academy's under-17 coaching team say they have taken away valuable lessons from their participation in the prestigious Al Kass International Cup. This year's tournament featured top football clubs from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. The competition provided Aspire Academy's young players with the opportunity to test their skills, adapt to different playing styles, and gain international experience crucial for their development. Many of the squad are striving to impress the coaches and earn a place in the Qatar squad that will take part in November's FIFA Under-17 World Cup on home soil.
Aspire Academy faced strong opposition throughout the tournament. They secured a 4-1 victory over Morocco's Mohammed VI Academy before a draw with Rangers FC from Scotland. They also experienced narrow defeats to Seattle Sounders FC (1-0) from the USA and Japan's Kashiwa Reysol in a tense penalty shootout (8-7). The results showed that Aspire Academy finished 6th overall in the tournament standings, demonstrating determination and resilience.
A Crucial Learning Experience
Alvaro Mejia, Head Coach of the Aspire Academy team at the Al Kass International Cup, echoed those sentiments. He also stressed the value of international experience for young student-athletes as he assessed the players in his role with the Qatar Football Association (QFA) as Head Coach of the Qatar National Under-17 team, particularly considering the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
"I think it's a really great experience for them. In the end, they're competing against some of the best clubs in the world, and they're facing challenges against players from different countries with different styles. Some teams even change their style during the game. So, I think it was very valuable to have this kind of experience. For sure, it will be beneficial for their preparation—not just for the U17 World Cup, but also for their future as players."
He also praised the team's resilience and motivation despite the demanding schedule.
"It was tough. It's not easy to play a game every two days—it's physically and mentally demanding. But I think the players were happy because they were motivated to have this experience, to play against strong teams. It's going to be a big challenge as we approach the World Cup. Qatar is going to host it, and we have to give our best. We need to put in a lot of work to make sure we perform at our highest level."
A Test of Physical and Mental Strength
Stephano Navarro, Lead Goalkeeper Coach at Aspire Academy, admitted it had been a tough tournament for the squad but emphasised the importance of focusing on the future.
"The competition was tough because not advancing from the group stage is disappointing. But this is football—the physical and mental aspects are crucial. We have to look to the future. The most important thing is what's ahead, not what's in the past, but the next match," said Navarro.
He also highlighted the significance of recovery between matches after playing a total of four games in just six days.
"For me, the future looks bright. The players have the capacity to compete, which is the most important thing. We have to continue developing them for the future of the national team."
Player Reflections: A Learning Curve
Ziad Ktit, captain of the Aspire Academy team for the tournament, was keen to highlight the lessons he and his teammates learnt as they continued their quest to earn places at the U17 World Cup.
"Of course, this tournament taught us that not everything comes easy. We must work hard and put in the effort to prepare ourselves for the future. We gain experience every time, especially with changes in the lineup and the different playing styles of teams from around the world. We are constantly learning and gaining the necessary experience to improve in the coming periods. The effort from the team was immense. The players worked hard; they didn't fall short in anything—whether it was recovery, nutrition, or overall preparation."
He also reflected on how the team managed the emotional highs and lows of the tournament.
"We started strong, winning our first match, which fueled the team's excitement and readiness. In the second match, despite being the better team, we ended in a draw. In the third match, we lost to Seattle due to a penalty goal, but the team stayed motivated and determined. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on our side when it came to scoring, even though we dominated the game."
Looking Ahead
The Al Kass International tournament was the latest step in the ongoing commitment between Aspire Academy and the QFA to nurture and develop young talent. With Qatar hosting the next five editions of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, this collaboration is going to be the cornerstone of the nation's ability to succeed on the biggest stage of all.
With the lessons learned from the Al Kass Cup, the team remains focused on its growth, aiming to build on this experience and take their performance to the next level in future competitions.