DOHA: Qatar’s U-23 football team played to a 1-1 draw against Egypt in the opening match of the international friendly tournament at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on Wednesday. The event, held in Doha, features six teams, including Croatia, Thailand, Australia, and the UAE, and will run until March 25.
The match saw an evenly contested performance, with both sides displaying a technically average game. Qatar’s Portuguese coach, Ildio Vale, focused on defensive organization, opting for a pragmatic approach against the Egyptians.
Qatar is using this tournament as preparation for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, which are set to take place in September 2025. The young squad will look to refine its tactics and gain valuable experience against strong international opposition in the coming matches.
