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IKOLI VICTOR
DPHA
Rene Pauritsch, coach of Liechtenstein, says Qatar can produce a strong national team for the World Cup 2022 with the quality of education at Aspire Academy.
The Austrian was speaking on the sideline of Qatar's 2-1 loss against Liechtenstein in an international friendly at Al Ahli stadium in Doha on Thursday. The match was played as part of preparations for the 23rd Gulf Cup scheduled from next Friday in Kuwait. Dennis Salanovic and Michele Polverino scored the goals for the Europeans while Ahmad Yasser scored for Qatar.
Rene Pauritsch said:"Qatar has a promising young team with a lot of talents and if they are properly harnessed the team will go far in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because the education at Aspire Academy is very good."
"The facilities at Aspire are great for such a small country like Liechtenstein. I saw the artificial pitches, indoor pitches and state-of-the-art facilities.
"Aspire Academy is extremely good, when teams like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain come regularly for mid-season, it must be a good place no doubt, Pauritsch said.
The 53-year-old added that things would only get better in the years ahead as they gain more experience on the international stage.
"I think it is a good team technically and they will improve in the coming years. They play good football especially the fullbacks with speed. But their bane is structure of tactics and some defensive lapses.
Qatar will resume duties in the Gulf Cup in Kuwait from Friday. They are the defending champions after their last success in the 2014 edition in Saudi Arabia.
Qatar is drawn in Group B alongside Iraq, Yemen and Bahrain in the eight-team tournament.
After recent setbacks in friendly matches with a pool of youthful players, Coach Felix Sanchez maybe tempted to blood in some experienced players to complement the talents in the squad.
For the 187th ranked Liechtenstein, the match is part of preparations for the 2018 UEFA Nations League. The win is Liechtenstein's first victory in 2017 and only their twelfth international victory in their history.
