18 Oct 2018
Doha, 18 October 2018. The latest Tri-Series at Aspire concluded on Wednesday 17 October 2018 after two days of friendly but serious competition for U-13 and U-14 players from Buriram United (Thailand), Ventforet Kofu (Japan) and hosts Aspire Academy. The youngest players at Aspire were able to engage their counterparts from different nations and this is vital for the long-term development of players individually and as a team.
This time round this Tri-Series tournament featured Asian opponents. Qatar belongs to the Asian Football Confederation and the Aspire players will be facing Thailand and Japanese teams in various age groups competitions in future, so this was worthy test. Buriram finished top in both Generation 2005 and 2006 followed by Ventforet and Aspire respectively.
Commenting at the end of tournament, Aspire Academy Senior Goalkeeping coach, Willy Stavaert, said: “It has been pleasing to see how our Aspire Academy goalkeepers have taken on board and been applying the style of goalkeeping we have been working on. Today’s goalkeeper is expected to use his feet more than in the past. In so doing he becomes the 11th field player as opposed to the old style of 10 field players plus a goalkeeper. The Aspire goalkeepers in this Tri-Series have shown an improved understanding and application of the use of their feet. initiating some positive moves from such play. “
Meanwhile Ventforet Kofu were on their fourth visit to Aspire and their Academy Director, Yosuke Nishikawa paid compliments to the cordial relationship between the Japanese side and Aspire, “We derive tremendous help in our play and progress by playing in Aspire Tri-Series tournament. Over the four years we have been privileged to participate in this tournament, we have seen pleasing progress and we even have one of the players we brought here a few years ago now playing in our first team and selected for Japanese national team of his age group. I found Aspire teams more like us in their pattern of play. Aspire play a passing game that utilizes space and support for the player with the ball. They have good quick players who provided a worthy challenge to us. Buriram United on the other hand play a differently, with the mainstay of their play being good individuals whose ability we struggled to deal effectively with.”
Buriram’s U-14 Team Manager, Talengkit Bunchasutikul said coming to play in Aspire Tri-Series tournament was the highlight of his players. “We appreciate being invited back to play in the Tri-series tournament here at Aspire Academy. The boys love playing in this competition on these beautiful pitches and lovely facilities. We played against good teams from Ventforet Kofu and Aspire Academy and we are happy to have emerged victorious in both age groups, said Bunchasutikul.