SEATTLE, United States, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui said his team's FIFA World Cup campaign represented a historic step forward for Qatari football despite its group-stage exit following a 3-1 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Qatar finished bottom of Group B with one point after drawing with Switzerland before losing to Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, becoming the first Asian team to exit the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Lopetegui described the experience as "very, very positive" despite the disappointment of elimination.
"This is the first time in our history that we have qualified for the World Cup, the first time we have won a point at the tournament, and the first time we have shown that we are capable of competing with teams at this level," he said.
Lopetegui said Qatar's draw against eventual group winner Switzerland and its performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina reflected the team's progress, despite failing to convert several clear scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, the Spaniard said the national team is entering a period of transition, urging younger players to learn from the experienced veterans.
"Many of our senior players are getting older. I don't know whether this will be the last World Cup for some of them, but the young players have to learn from their example and be ready for the future," he said.
Despite becoming the first Asian team to exit the tournament, Lopetegui said the experience would help lay the foundation for the young generation of Qatari players. ■
