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 ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019 CONTENTS itoria The ig nterie A ents A roects oaches orner A STEADY CLIMB TO THE SUMMIT t might seem an exaggeration to describe a 43-year-old coach with one senior title to his Iname as a role model. But, in a footballing world so often dominated by the search for quick results, Qatar’s victory at the AFC Asia Cup 2019 may offer the game’s decision-makers food for thought. The coach who masterminded success was in his first senior job. He had not been a professional player. The first entry on his coaching c/v was a ten-year spell at the youth academy of FC Barcelona, the home-town team his family had always supported. The club’s relationship with Qatar led him to Doha way back in 2006, to become a member of the coaching team at the Aspire Academy and, since then, he has steadily climbed towards the summit via an AFC U-19 title in Myanmar in 2014; an early exit from the FIFA U-20 World Cup a year later; promotion to the U-23 team; and, ultimately the step up to the senior team in July 2017. All with squads based heavily on players who had graduated from the Aspire Academy. He is a rare example of a man who has matured as a coach while helping a group of boys to mature as players. THE BIG INTERVIEW He and his ‘boys’ are champions of Asia. He is… FELIX SANCHEZ BAS ISSUE 3 • JUNE 2019 CONTENTS itoria The ig nterie A ents A roects 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 CONTENTS itoria The ig nterie A ents A roects oaches orner 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.