(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar's influential midfielder and captain Ahmad Moein yesterday said playing and training in Europe for the last two years had made him a better player.
The 19-year-old currently plays for Belgian side KAS Eupen where he has five of his team-mates for company.
Eight months ago, Moein played a key role as Qatar lifted the AFC U-19 Championship in Myanmar where was he was declared the player of the tournament.
"Of course playing in Europe has completely changed the way we play and approach a game," Moein said yesterday, on the eve of Qatar's last group-stage game against Senegal at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
"Playing in Europe has helped me a lot. Their style of play is different," Moein said. "The players' mentality over there is different. It is helping us to become better players - physically and mentally. We are becoming better players on and off the field."
"I am 19 years old. I am trying my best to be part of good clubs in Europe. Last season, I played in Belgium. I keep trying to improve, to play better football when I am on the pitch," Moein said.
Leading his team at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand is a "dream come true" for the young midfielder.
"Of course, it is a dream to be playing at the World Cup. I always wanted to be part of such a high profile tournament. I am happy to be here since we have worked hard," he said.
"Yes, we have played difficult games this week. But of course we have got good experience from these games," Moein said.
"We still have one match. Hopefully, we will continue our dream of playing the World Cup."
When asked what he thought about his game, Moein shyly replied: "I cannot answer the question. If you ask the coach, he will tell you how good I am."
He said playing this week against Portugal and Colombia had toughed up his team.
"Of course the last two games were very strong for us. We got experience of playing against the top sides," Moein said.
"The match against Senegal (today) will be tough but we have been preparing really well. We are looking forward to this game. This is our last chance of qualifying to the next stage."
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