Coaches stress U-23 Gulf Cup’s role in developing future stars

Doha, Qatar: The U 23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 kicks off in Doha today, with participating coaches emphasising the tournament s importance in preparing you...

Doha, Qatar: The U-23 Gulf Cup Qatar 2025 kicks off in Doha today, with participating coaches emphasising the tournament’s importance in preparing young players for continental competitions.

The opening match sees Iraq face Yemen at Aspire Zone at 2:45pm, while hosts Qatar begin their campaign tomorrow against Kuwait.

Portuguese coach Ilídio Vale, leading Qatar’s U-23 national team, highlighted the tournament’s significance. “The tournament means a lot to us. Our team is developing, and our players are ready to compete with the goal of winning,” he said during a press conference. Vale added that the competition serves as a crucial preparatory stage ahead of next year’s Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia.

“We are motivated despite some absences due to players participating with the senior team. It is an important opportunity to develop our players and face strong teams,” he said.

Italian Luigi Di Biagio, Saudi Arabia’s U-23 coach, praised the organization and the competitive level. “The tournament is tough, bringing together strong teams. It provides a vital pathway for players to progress to the first team,” he said.