10 January 2019 – Doha, Qatar:
PSV Eindhoven’s head coach, Mark van Bommel has praised the work of Aspire Zone, telling local media that the professionalism of the sports sector in Qatar has made him excited for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.
Van Bommel, who has brought PSV Eindhoven to Doha for winter training at Aspire Zone’s world-class facilities, took time out to speak to media about his team, the Asian Cup 2019, and what he expects to come in 2022, when Qatar hosts the first World Cup to be held in an Arab state.
On Aspire Zone and training in Qatar, he said:“For our winter camp, we have to come to Qatar during the winter season in Europe and benefit from the awesome world-class facilities at Aspire Zone. The hotel is luxurious, food is good, weather is perfect, and the beaches in Qatar are outstanding.”
Commenting on PSV winning the Dutch Eredivisie Champions League this year, the coach said:“It won’t be easy because we won a lot of games, 16 out of 17. It will be a tight game until the end with a lot of intense games. We have to go to Amsterdam, we tried to win all the games, almost every game but that is almost impossible.”
Commenting on club’s offer to Bayern’s Robben, the coach said: “I can confirm that we haven’t made a formal offer, but I have asked him if he wants to join.”
Commenting on dealing with the expectations that come with coaching, he said; “Always, when you are starting as a coach, you try to win every game and that is not easy, but also for me a new experience, a new step in my career. Last year I was with the U-19 team and they became champions – going to the professional team wasn’t predicted.”
Commenting on discussions with Sneijder about their experience in Qatar’s league, the coach said: “Yes of course, I spoke with Sneijderand Nigel de Young and saw them for a couple of times this week. It was nice to speak with a lot of players that I played with and they are really happy to be here to be part in the competition league also with Xavi and they want to stay. That means that you want to be here.”
Commenting on Xavi Hernandez, as he will finish his career as a player this season and going to be a coach, the head coach said: “As a player I loved to play with him. I played one year with Xavi - unfortunately he had an injury in the second half of the season. But if you talk about Xavi, everybody is talking very well about his football qualities and his leadership. It is difficult to predict how he will be as a coach but if you see his way of playing on the middle of the pitch and his leadership I it is possible that he will be a very good coach.”
Talking about the next game against Club Brugge, the coach said: “Playing against Brugge, who are a Champions League competitor, it is nice to play against them and that we meet in Qatar. Although we are one and a half hour away from each other. It will be a nice game for us.”
On player development:“We have to develop the players because in the big competitions like England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France they have a lot of money and big players and clubs and we try to compete with them, but it isn’t easy, because the gap will be bigger and bigger in the financial aspect and also in quality. But we try to compete with them. We are famous in developing our players and we try to do that. It is not easy, but we are trying.”
Commenting on the ongoing preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, Mark van Bommel, said: “I think it will be a spectacular event as we can see the pitches and the stadiums. If the professionalism we have seen at Aspire Zone is anything to go by, I am expecting big things in 2022.”
Commenting on being in the training camp at the same time as other big teamsat Aspire Zone, the head coach said:“It’s a big opportunity for the club. A lot of teams are coming as well because the facilities are top. It’s only to be expected that Bayern Munich has come here for the ninth time, as they can enjoy the best circumstances here in Qatar. Even the Russian tournament will be held here. It is a win-win situation for everyone.”
Commenting on the Games at the Asian Cup 2019, the coach said: “I didn’t see the Asian Cup, I only saw the results, because we are training very hard.”
Commenting on Qatar’s win in the Asian Cup and the players who are Aspire Academy graduates, the head coach said: “It’s difficult to predict which teams will win but Qatar is doing a good job. It is clear that Aspire is developing the athletes to play. And hopefully in 2022, Qatar will leave a great impression.”