04 Mar 2015
Doha, 4 March 2015. The Swedish club Malmoe FF was one of the competing teams, alongside Esperance Sportive de Tunis and Aspire Academy, in this week’s edition of the ‘Tri-Series’. Before youth coach Roland Larsson joined the club in 2014 he had spent 16 years working for the Swedish Football Association. In this role, he led the Swedish Under-17 national team to the 2013 FIFA World Cup where they sensationally finished third. He believes that the upcoming Under-20 World Cup is going to be an amazing experience for Qatar’s youth national team players.
“Being at the World Cup was unique for the young players. We were drawn in the strongest group of the tournament, but the players were mentally tough and their confidence grew every day to the point that they believed they could beat anyone. I think that starting the competition as an underdog was eventually an advantage,” he remembered of the tournament in the United Arab Emirates. He was not underselling the strength of their group: three of the four teams were ranked 1 to 3 by the completion of the World Cup.
Despite the strong competition in their first Under-17 World Cup ever, Sweden went on to win bronze with a 4–1 victory over Argentina in the third place play-off match. “The most important thing was that there were absolutely no surprises for the players. That involved profound knowledge about the opponents but also about the surroundings. We went as far as filming the hotels, pitches and more before we came to the region, so from the moment the players set foot on the tarmac in Abu Dhabi they knew what to expect.”
What made the team in the end so successful on the pitch? “It was a group of good characters that was willing to work hard every minute of the day and that was the key to being successful over the 28 days we were there.” Having followed the successful qualification of Qatar for the Under-20 World Cup Larsson believes that there is a good chance for them to do well in New Zealand. “The tournament is a clash of different football philosophies and styles and I am sure the Qatari players will be well prepared and the players that have been to Aspire Academy, of course, will also benefit from playing international tournaments like these ‘Tri-Series’ tournaments.”
What’s the best thing a team like Qatar can do when it’s going to an event like a youth World Cup apart from focusing on the football? “No matter if you’re a player or member of the staff, you should enjoy every moment of it and take pictures in your mind. Also, don’t be afraid of anything because being there already proves that you belong to the best in the world. Believe in yourself and take on the challenge!”