ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019
CONTENTS Editorial The Big Interview AFC Events AFC Projects Coaches Corner NO REGRETS by Andy Roxburgh, AFC Technical Director
hink back to the 2019 Asian Cup semi-final in Al Ain (UAE) and the decisive moment Tof the match. With 55 minutes gone and no breakthrough for either side, the Iranian players lost their concentration. While five of them protested to the referee, the Japanese played on and scored the opening, crucial goal. For Carlos Queiroz, the coach of Iran, the 3-0 defeat was hard to take because he had repeatedly reminded his players of the need to remain focused. As he said afterwards; ‘Sadly, we had an emotional breakdown in this game.’ After a successful eight-year tenure, his Iranian adventure had finished on an evening of regret.
Fast rewind to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia’s Rostov Arena when the Japanese Japan’s Yuya Osako during the AFC Asian Cup 2019 semi-final between I.R. Iran and Japan. suffered the pangs of regret. Having dominated
EDITORIAL the first hour of their round-of-16 match against much-fancied Belgium, the Blue Samurai lost a goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. A classic fast-paced counter- a big chance to shine on the world stage with the 2020 two-goal lead and were hanging on for a draw. attack ensued and Nacer Chadli scored the winner for the Olympic Football Tournaments in Japan (men and women) However, with the game in added-time, they Red Devils. Ninety-four minutes had elapsed and Japan were and the men’s 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. When were in control of the ball and the situation, out of the World Cup – heartbroken and lost in their own these global events are over, there should be no regrets, having been awarded a corner kick on the left- thoughts of what might have been. no recriminations, because every effort should have hand side. Instead of keeping possession, the been made by the participating teams to perform at their ball was delivered into the centre of the penalty Now, following the biggest Asian Cup ever, it is time to optimum level on the world’s stage. So what is required to box and the safe, welcoming hands of Belgian look forward. During the next few years, Asian football has attain ‘optimum level’? ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019
CONTENTS Editorial The Big Interview AFC Events AFC Projects Coaches Corner
possession, have more chances on goal, spend more Asian players, coaches and officials will be able, time in the opponent’s half and still lose’. Yes, even if you with hand on heart, to echo the words of Edith Piaf, play well and work hard, there will always be an element the celebrated French singer, when she sang; ‘Non, of good fortune and we have to accept that as part of je ne regrette rien.’ Literally translated: ‘No, I regret It’s probably the only sport the challenge. nothing.’ Success beckons for Asia’s elite, but it won’t come without sacrifice and total dedication. in the world where you can For those with long-term ambitions of qualification and control possession, have success in a world, continental or regional competition, more chances on goal, spend the focus needs to be on ‘slow-burning’ development: topics such as coach education; the nurturing of talents more time in the opponent’s in academies/training centres; the establishment half and still lose. and upgrading of regular competitions, including youth league structures; and the promotion of mass This is no miracle. This Graham Arnold participation which encourages fast technique and is due to the preparation Australian Head Coach movement, often through the use of small-sided games, over many years and the will all play a part. The value of a patient, structured approach was highlighted by Qatar’s ‘surprise’ victory in great efforts and plans the 2019 Asian Cup in United Arab Emirates. Al Saad at Aspire Academy. midfielder, and former Barcelona legend, Xavi reacted to the ‘Maroons’ achievement by declaring: ‘This is no The priorities are to establish a settled team; to use miracle. This is due to the preparation over many years the matches between now and then to build up a solid and the great efforts and plans at Aspire Academy.’ As foundation; to develop an appropriate style of play; and to the Qataris proved, when you prepare well and you play have worked on the details that can make the difference to your potential, regret is not a word on anyone’s lips. at the top-level of football. Continuity of staff will also be an important factor in producing successful, competitive On his retirement, after 114 appearances for England and teams. Plus, key elements, such as a scouting network, 504 games for Liverpool FC, Steven Gerrard publicly media planning, performance analysis, sports science announced that he ‘had no regrets.’ When a player
EDITORIAL support, administrative arrangements, not-to-mention of that calibre has given everything and has always the quality of coaching, management and leadership. tried to perform to his limits, there is no room for self- ‘Design, not chance’ is the maxim, and no area of team recrimination. As Asia looks forward to the international preparation can be neglected. The aim is to minimise challenges ahead, it would be wise for players to reflect the influence of ‘Lady Luck’ who will undoubtedly play on the view that ‘talent is never enough.’ They will also her unpredictable part when the tournaments come need desire and know-how if they are to compete with Xavi Hernández around. As Australian Head Coach, Graham Arnold said the world’s best. They should remember that the best Al Saad midfielder about football during the 2019 Asian Cup: ‘It’s probably preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. Post and former the only sport in the world where you can control 2022, it is to be hoped that, no matter the outcome, Barcelona legend THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS I He andhis‘boys’ arechampionsofAsia. Heis… coach while helping a a group of as boys to matured mature as has players. who man a of example rare a is had Academy.He Aspire the from who graduated players on heavily All ultimately 2017. based July squads in with and, team senior the team; to up U-23 step the the to later; promotion year a Cup World U-20 FIFA the from exit early an 2014; in Myanmar in title U-19 AFC an via summit the towards climbed steadily has he then, since and, Academy Aspire the at the team coaching of member a become to 2006, in back way club’sThe Doha to him led Qatar with relationship home-town team his family had always supported. the Barcelona, FC of academy youth the at spell ten-year a was c/v coaching his on entry first The player.professional a been not had He job. senior first his in was success masterminded who coach game’sthe The thought. for decision-makersfood Qatar’s victory at the AFC Asia Cup 2019 may offer so often dominated by the search for quick results, SUMMIT TO THE CLIMB A STEADY 3ya-l cah ih n sno tte o his to world footballing a in But, title model. role a as name senior a one describe with to coach 43-year-old exaggeration an seem might t itoria The ig nter ie A ents FELIX SANCHEZ BAS ISSUE 3•JUNE2019 A ro ects oaches orner ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019
CONTENTS itoria The ig nter ie A ents A ro ects oaches orner
Qatar’s national football team head coach Felix Sanchez Bas gives instructions to his players during a training session for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
1 IT’S A FASCINATING COACHING C/V. CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH IT?
Well, I arrived in Qatar to work at the Aspire Academy, which is a high-performance centre to develop youth players. I started with the U-16 group, following the programme that the academy had established. Then, in 2009, I began to work with the generation born in 1996 and taking them into AFC events. So I started growing with them as a national team. We went to Iraq to play in the U-16 qualifiers – and couldn’t reach the finals. At that stage I was working with them at the academy and, at the same time, with the national team. Because, in the end, the best players were in the academy and when they played for the national team, the only thing to do was to change the shirt. Once we reached the U-18 level, we played the AFC qualifiers again and this time we were successful. That was a landmark because they finished their Aspire cycle, and we started to work only as the national team. They joined clubs and I only coached them when they came to the national team. We played several AFC competitions with the U-19s, the Olympic team… and then the U-23 competition in China in 2018. And then, there we were, as the senior national team at the Asian Cup. THE BIG INTERVIEW ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019
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LET’S FACE IT, THIS SORT OF CONTINUITY IS A RARITY IN INTERNATIONAL 2 FOOTBALL. HOW MUCH OF AN ADVANTAGE HAS IT BEEN?
“I think the key point is the country’s concept of organising this Aspire Academy and linking it with the national team. They were very patient with a long-term plan and this is very important. We are grateful for that, as we didn’t always have successes like this one at the Asian Cup. There were tournaments where we couldn’t perform at our highest level but we accepted that this is football and you don’t always have the results you would wish for. So the key was patience along with confidence in the work, in the project. I think that the achievement at the Asian Cup gives you the proof that with hard work, organisation, commitment, patience and belief, you can reach your target.
WHAT ASPECTS OF THE BARCELONA PHILOSOPHY HAVE INFLUENCED 3 YOUR WORK IN QATAR?
From a very young age, I realised I liked coaching and I worked with the Barcelona youth teams for 10 years. It was a great experience, especially as I was born there and was a Barça fan. Of course, there is a special philosophy associated with the club but, when you arrive in a new place, you need to look at the culture, the philosophy, the people and the players. There are many things I have kept from Barcelona, but I have adapted to the place where I am working.
4 HOW LONG DID THAT TAKE? WAS IT A LONG PROCESS AS WELL?
I think it was very natural for me, even though in the beginning the language was an issue because I wasn’t that fluent in English – and not all the players were either! After some time at the academy, their English improved. Sometimes it was frustrating not to be able to explain all that I wanted to say. But it didn’t take long and communication with the players became easier. For me the most important thing is that the players Felix Sanchez reacts during the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 understand the message and understand what we want. Personally, I found myself in a nice country, where quarter-final football match between Korea Republic. people were very kind and there were plenty of experts to talk football with. So I would say I was very fast to adapt. THE BIG INTERVIEW ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019
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WE’VE TALKED ABOUT CONTINUITY TURNING TO THE ASIAN CUP, 5 AS A POSITIVE. BUT ARE THERE 7 WHAT WERE THE KEYS TO YOUR ADVANTAGES ON THE PITCH AND SUCCESS? ON THE TRAINING GROUND? First of all, the quality of our players, their commitment Since 2009 I have been working with players like to the team. I saw during the preparation the Akram, Madibo, Tarek, Bakri, Yousof… 11 players from motivation they had. They wanted to play a good that generation. When I think they made history for the Asian Cup as it was the last one before the World country and I’ve known them since they were kids, it Cup. Qatar hadn’t had good results at the Asian Cup, makes me feel very proud of them. But when we talk and they were aware of that. It was a good time to about the first team, we have to mix players from different show they could perform well in big competitions. So groups. The fact that everyone adapted to each other so Felix Sanchez (C) poses for a picture with his they were very motivated. And the federation made quickly at the Asian Cup gave us the opportunity to win. players after winning the AFC Asian Cup UAE a good plan for the players with very good friendly Working with the team for a long time also gave me the 2019 final match against Japan. games. This helped a lot. I heard from colleagues advantage that they know how you want to do things, who had greater difficulties and, for us, a small the way you want them to play, the demands you are country means we can get together easily even going to make on them. This meant it was easier to make DURING THIS PROCESS OF MATURING, when they are working with their clubs. But the key a strong group for the competition. 6 HOW MUCH ATTENTION DID YOU PAY was the desire of the players and their quality. TO DEVELOPING THEM AS PEOPLE AS WELL AS FOOTBALLERS?
We as coaches have to know the players as individuals. They have different personalities, different motivation. It’s important to stress that some may play more than others but that doesn’t make them more important than others. My standpoint is to be honest with them. They should know your targets, what you expect from them. You have to address reality, to know what they have to do, what they can improve, how they can help the team. At the Asian Cup, I had players who I had seen playing many times and I knew as quality players but hadn’t coached. Felix Sanchez (C) and forward Almoez Ali (L) help I didn’t know them as individuals. So that was another Qatar’s forward Almoez Ali (R) celebrates up their teammate Akram Hassan Afif after their process for me – to get to know the individual and his with coach Felix Sanchez after winning the AFC U23 Championship 2016 semi-final match motivation. AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. THE BIG INTERVIEW between Qatar and Korea Republic. ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019
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WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGES DURING THE COMPETITION? WHEN DID YOU START TO BELIEVE 8 9 YOU COULD WIN THE TITLE?
To make sure the players were ready and focused in every game. At the beginning, each mistake will affect Without saying I believed we could win the title, the the result and make the things more difficult. And once you reach the knockout stage, every single detail can first game told me a lot. The first is always difficult but put you out of the competition. So we talked a lot with them. In fact small details did make big differences, the opponents were very well organised and difficult to as we saw in IR Iran against China PR or when Japan scored against Iran when players went to the referee break down. For the first 60 minutes, things were not to complain. Small things can make you to lose focus. It happened to us against Korea Republic - a very going well and it was hard to create chances. But in the difficult moment. We scored, lost focus and, within a minute, they scored. Luckily for us, it was offside and last 30 minutes we changed. We played well and you we could reboot. Keeping the team focused was one of our biggest challenges because to play so many could see the attitude, the aggressive attacking, the games in few days at such a high level it is easy to lose focus. We had other difficult moments: Iraq, once desire of the players. I didn’t think about winning the we scored, pushed really hard and we had to be very well organized as they have a lot of quality. And we tournament but I did feel that we had a high enough were aware that Qatar had never won a knockout game… The last 15 minutes against Korea seemed very level to take on the sort of opposition you can expect at long to me. And, of course, the final. We had the advantage going into the second half but, especially in the such a tournament. I felt that we had enough qualities first 25 minutes, we didn’t feel at all comfortable. Their positional play improved and they put us under a lot to compete. of pressure, even though they weren’t creating that many clear chances. And they were a high-quality team. But these are the moments that make you grow as a team because you have to know how to deal with this type of situation. We were strong enough to stay organised and to defend well. DID YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE YOUR 10 PLAYERS THAT THEY COULD WIN THE TITLE?
Not really, because of our preparation process. We went to Europe, we played Switzerland, Iceland, China, Palestine, Ecuador, Turkmenistan, and I think the players started to feel they could compete against all these teams. But, of course, friendlies are one thing and the Asian Cup is another. You have to be prepared for seven games in little more than three weeks and you have to perform well every three or four days. It is difficult. But once you start to win, the dynamism, mood and confidence start growing. Before games I could see that everyone was fine, ready to play, with the substitutes Iceland’s captain Gylfi Sigurdosson (L) vies for Qatar’s midfielder Assim Madabo (C) controls ready to help the team. That was the most important. the ball next to Switzerland’s midfielder Remo the ball against Qatar’s midfielder Assim Omer Freuler during a friendly match on November Madibo during a friendly match on November 14, 2018. 14, 2017. THE BIG INTERVIEW THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS understood it, they believed init. only not They it. in believed players the that is thing important most The this. with deal to change to had we excellent and play football to attacking started Japan goal their after because twice changed the we final in example, For changing. without game the during options us give could who players had also we but this implement to players change to needed we Sometimes opposition. the for difficult more it make can which – predictability less mean options more that think I Also points. opponents’strong the counter and performance own our strengthening to view a with game same the within even situations different face to ready be to just system, different a trying started we preparation, our during So Cup. Asian an at especially qualities, strong with opponents have we know we but style own Weour opponents. have the secondly,and, players of availability the on depending options different have to decided we good. case, our In very is which change, never and way own their in always play to decide who coaches are There 11 ahead oftheAFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. Qatar’s head coach FelixSanchez Bas gives instructions to thenationalfootballteam during atraining session WHY DIDYOU CHANGE YOUR SYSTEM OFPLAY DURING THE TOURNAMENT? itoria The ig nter ie A ents ISSUE 3•JUNE2019 A ro ects 12 12 and attacking,afterthatwefocusonopponents. defending in rules standard our have we preparation our another.or way one start balance we when general, in But, the If play. to opponent team going has some special are feature, we might we shift the game the on depends it No, (R) beforetheAFC Asian Cup UAE 2019semi-final match. Felix Sanchez (L) greets Qatar’s forward Hasan Al Haydos oaches orner FOCUS MORE ON THE DEFENSIVE DEFENSIVE ASPECT? YOU THE ON DO MORE FOCUS OR FIFTY-FIFTY ABOUT WORK DEFENSIVE DISTRIBUTE ATTACKING AND YOU DO TRAINING IN THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS the 2019editionofAFC AsianCup. session inDohaDecember 2018,inpreparationfor Qatar midfielderAkram Afiftakes partinatraining itoria The ig nter ie 15 not allofthemlike. Buttheyareprofessionalandunderstand. manage to Youneed possible. which – is them work than it rather videos them if show to off need you Sometimes switch games. prepare yet to workloads time them give to need you and load the important manage is It to tournaments. final to used are up they that adds is group It this about tournament. thing the good The to time. long go a to you then preparation, in weeks spend you because different is Yes,it 14 generate chances. to counterattacking in quality the have Haydos Al Hasan or Almoez like,Akram, Players action. of kind this can create and score goals in this phase and we try to put in practice different game situations and promote real game situations and, with the profiles of the players we have, it’s a very important phase. We know we At the end of the day, you don’t have too much time to train with the national team. So we try to focus a lot on 13 level is increasing. Ithink football inAsia is definitely growing. more and prepared better is the that a sign everyone as that I interpret – and say games win to difficult it would found team every think I competitive. I Qatar, in working been have I years the After and talk football for a while! play another game and another game. We managed to switch off during lunch time and dinner time - You knowyouare going tobevery busy and, tobehonest,it is also yourmotivation thatyouhaveto for. prepared be to have you that a routine into get you but difficult is It own. your preparing are you He can’t! At a tournament with 51 games, when you are not playing you are watching other games and 16 A ents FOR AMUCHLONGER TIME? JOB FOR A COACH IN TERMS DIFFERENT OF A IT HOW IS THIS, YOULIKE TOURNAMENT BIG A MANAGETO COME YOU WHEN A GROUP OF PLAYERS IS THAT ANIMPORTANT PART OFYOUR TRAININGWORK? WITH YOUR MIDFIELDERSINTHETRIANGLEREACTING VERY QUICKLY. YOU GENERALLY HAD VERY SMOOTH DEFENCE-TO-ATTACK TRANSITIONS WHAT ABOUT THECOACH, HOW DOES HE SWITCH OFF? ASIA DIDYOU TAKE HOMEFROMTHEASIAN CUP? APARTYOURFROM OWN WHATSUCCESS, FOOTBALLOF IMPRESSION IN ISSUE 3•JUNE2019 A ro ects oaches orner THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS itoria The ig nter ie A ents ISSUE 3•JUNE2019 A ro ects A F Ntoa Ta Cahs Cneec, he Conference, commented onhiscountry’s aimsandambitions. Coaches’ Team National AFC recent the at stage On at Cup. WorldFIFA 2018 impact the an made Japan when team the coaching of member a and side U-23 the of helm at the been had final, Cup Asian the to team senior the leading to prior Moriyasu, Hajime Malaysia. in Championship U-16 AFC 2018 the at victory with age- AFC in limit competitions and had underlined consistency impact an made had Japan Qatar, AMBITIONS LONG-TERM JAPAN’S oaches orner oniec, ab. r ab nt Like not. maybe Or maybe. Coincidence, projects. long-term for window shop a was s it happened, the final of the AFC Asian Cup THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS qualification for the next World Cup will be definitely difficult for us. to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics followed by the Qatar World Cup in 2022. My impression was that narrower and we should be getting closer to world getting are level. Asia in After teams top the the Asian winner. between a tournament Gaps Cup, predict we and have games win to to difficult improve ourselves higher.was much It now is teams Asian of level the that realised I Comparing, competition. the won and Hiroshima in Cup Asian 1992 the played I time. first the for coach head as participating was I tournament. affected the team in terms of experience. But our performances got better and we improved throughout Well,the about half the squad was changed in relation to the FIFA World Cup in Russia and I have to admit this 1 AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu with thenationalfootballteam during an official training session for the IN THE UAE? WHATEVALUATION WASCUP OVERALLYOURALL, ASIAN OF THE FIRST OF itoria The ig nter ie A ents ISSUE 3•JUNE2019 A ro ects 3 2 play fortheteam. don’t they if game the to contribute cannot individuals that roles and then play for the team. We all have to understand individual on focus to is which principle, basic our players added value to our team performance. I always stress to the brings also but not quality individual players’ which the benefits only Europe, in leagues competitive in are players Japanese many high- Furthermore, moment. the at style playing a appropriate play an is can this that believe we I game. that passing tempo mean game the to disciplined approach our with along points, strong Those mobility. determination, plus physical agility strength in terms of and quick and awareness technique, individual of quality high the are players Japanese of points strong the all, of First about when tomoveandwheremove. decision-making -the efficient more be to room is there but movement good their showed players Our of match- play. aspects specific some Also technique. factors, in UAE. It is about everything. Attacking, defending, physical realised this via playing Asian teams during the competition One of the things to focus on is to improve individual quality. I JAPANESE STYLE OFPLAY? AND HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE A HAVE TO CONSISTENT PHILOSOPHY? IT IS IMPORTANT HOW DEVELOP TO DONE JAPANESE FOOTBALL EVEN FURTHER? BE CAN WHAT oaches orner THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS 5 4 matches. before players to this inform always I performance. team’s the to contributes behaviour their sure make to important is it football, also is it time same the at but performance, individual best In showing their on culture. focus to our from players for in important comes definitely rooted it is because It football. Japan to education. in related everywhere only not exists is It it discipline, of terms In efficient againstacertaintypeofopposition. options to use specific players to create a good team thatus is gives that because systems playing and styles playing of is variety need We team. It strong a create same to team. with characteristic players good have to enough a not is create It puzzle. to a like place right the in special players put to needed we because important very was It LEVELS TO THE SENIOR TEAM? YOUTH THE PLAYERS THROUGH COMING THE ARE AS DEVELOP ELEMENTS YOU THESE DO EMOTIONAL HOW OF CONTROL. LEVEL HIGH THE COMMON IS TEAMS NATIONAL FEATURES JAPANESE ALL THE TO OF ONE AND DISCIPLINE EMPHASISED YOU’VE WAS THIS? IMPORTANT HOW SYSTEMS. PLAYING YOUR ROTATED ADJUSTED AND YOU SQUAD CUP,YOUR ASIAN THE AT itoria The ig nter ie Japan national footballteamwarming up fortheirofficial training session during the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. A ents ISSUE 3•JUNE2019 A ro ects oaches orner THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS I.R. Iran and Japan at theHazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain on January 28,2019. Japan’s forward Yuya Osako (R)celebrates his goal during the2019AFC Asian Cup semi-finalfootball match between itoria The ig nter ie A ents ISSUE 3•JUNE2019 A ro ects 7 6 coaches inthe roleofthenationalteam of Japan. believe that it is what I should aim at as one of the Japanese I generations. up-coming the to contribute and step, small head a coach is to leave as a legacy for the national team, even just a thing important most the But era. my during it the result we want. obtain Of course, can it will we be super that if we believe can make I efforts, these maintaining By technical and strength physical in order to deliver mental, our best performance in our a game. maximise to how out find to have we Then there football. our for use if to elements are see and world, the over all and Asia in countries good we think they are. What we have to do is to learn from how matter no countries, other in manuals the from paste and copy cannot We world. the over all from teams strong against compete to strengths our use effectively to ways best the for searching kept and best the with compete to how about Cup World the from learning keep to have We elements. game. Players from that part of the world are good at those my players to learn individual tactics and learn how to win a wanted also I America, South physically.in competition the from And, and mentally tough be would that matches in Firstly, I expected that the players could improve themselves THAT ACHIEVING OBJECTIVE? OF TERMS THE IN ARE PRIORITIES WHAT CUP. WORLD A WIN TO IS JFA’SPROJECT LONG-TERMTHE WHAT DID YOU EXPECT TO GAIN FROM THIS? AMÉRICA. COPA THE IN PART QATAR TAKETO INVITED BEEN ALREADY HAD AND YOU COINCIDENCE, BY oaches orner THE BIG INTERVIEW CONTENTS AFC AsianCup2019–runners-up Asian Games2018–silvermedal FIFA ClubWorld Cup2015–third Japanese SuperCup–2013,2014 J1 League –2012,2013,2015 HONOURS CLUB/COUNTRY AFC U-23Championship2018, Asian Games2018, AFCAsianCupUAE 2019 INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS 50 Japanese NATIONALITY MORIYASUHAJIME FACT FILE AGE Japan (July 2018 –present) Japan U-23(October2017–present) Sanfrecce Hiroshima(February 2012–July2017) MANAGED TEAMS