L’Alcudia, Spain: Qatar are grouped with football giants Argentina at the

C.O.T.I.F Torneo Internacional de Fútbol Sub-20 de L’Alcúdia.

Other teams in the group include Mexico, Costa Rica and Morocco.

Spain, the US, Bahrain, Venezuela and Mauritania make up the other second

group.

The 10-team event ends on August 4.

Mexico and Costa Rica kicked off proceedings following a festive opening

ceremony.

Qatar is featuring in the event to prepare for this year’s AFC U-20 Asian Cup

to be held in Bahrain in October.

Qatar are the Asian defending champions.

The Torneo Internacional de Fútbol Sub-20 de L’Alcúdia (L’Alcúdia International

Under-20 Football Tournament), better known as COTIF, is an annual

international invitational football competition for youth teams, open to both

clubs and national and autonomous teams, held in L’Alcúdia, Valencia since

1984.

However, this year’s edition only consists of national teams.

The event has a 33-year-old history with dozens of countries having featured

over the years.

Spain’s national team coach Vicente Del Bosque also featured at the pre-event

press conference.

Del Bosque is promoting the event as the honorary ambassador for the tournament.

Delegations representing the participating teams were also present at the press conference.

He said the U-20 event was hugely important to the participating teams as football’s

future stars have appeared at the events over the years.

He also said teams like Argentina, Mexico and Costa Rica are a tough test for any

side.

Qatar play their opener against Argentina on Tuesday.

Al Anabi then play Mexico on 27th of this month followed by games against

Costa Rica ‎and Morocco.

Qatar’s team is coached by Oscar Cano.