The friendlies feature match-ups against Uzbekistan’s Under-18 and Under-16 national teams.
Doha, Qatar: Aspire Academy officially launched its international football friendlies during the holy month of Ramadan, featuring match-ups against Uzbekistan’s Under-18 and Under-16 national teams.
In the first week, Aspire Academy’s promising student-athletes from the 2007 and 2009 generations took to the field, showcasing their talent and determination.
This friendly series serves as a vital platform for young players to gain international competitive experience, refine their skills, and embrace the challenges of high-level football in a professional setting.
In addition to the friendly games, the Uzbekistan teams spent a week staying at Aspire Academy for an intensive week of training, making use of the world-class facilities and enjoying Qatari hospitality.
Both generations played in two highly competitive matches each against strong Uzbek opposition. Both sets of players showcased their outstanding skill, adaptability, and sportsmanship. The matches are a key component of Aspire Academy’s elite training and development programme, reflecting the high standards of preparation instilled in its athletes.
The friendly matches served as a valuable opportunity for both teams to evaluate their tactical strategies, assess individual player performances, and refine team dynamics in a challenging international setting.
Edorta Murua, Technical Football Director of Aspire Academy’s Football Department, reflected on the series’ aims: “These friendlies are more than just matches, they were a testament to our players’ ability to adapt, learn, and grow. For example, competing against the Uzbekistan National Team provided our young athletes with insights into different playing styles and competitive strategies.”
Uzbekistan’s U16 Coach Sergey Chigodayev was impressed by Aspire Academy and emphasised his interest in returning: “The players of the Aspire Academy team are incredibly strong individually, fast, technical, and composed under pressure. They control the ball well, and their goalkeeper shows great potential. The impact of the coaching staff is evident. Our players were thrilled to visit Qatar and were deeply impressed by Aspire Academy. They loved everything about their experience and eagerly await the next invitation!”
The series continues with a visit from the Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg, which is holding a training camp from March 8 to 14, featuring the 2010, 2011, and 2012 generations in action.
Aspire Academy continues to prioritise comprehensive athlete development, providing young talents with opportunities to compete at international levels and prepare for future sporting challenges.
