But in 2022, the Qatar national team will look very different thanks to the multi-billion dollar Aspire academy which opened in 2004.

CNN: Five things we've learned from Qatar's Asian Cup

His views are shared by Michel Bruyninckx, formerly academy director for Belgian club Standard Liege and now at Qatar's Aspire Academy, who is something of a pioneer when it comes to brain training in soccer players.

CNN: Mind over matter: Soccer's bid to train the brain

Funded by the Qatari royal family, Aspire was set up to nurture sporting talent from Qatar and beyond, and the academy is already producing results.

CNN: Five things we've learned from Qatar's Asian Cup