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Despite an estimated population of 500,000, Qatar remains one of Asian footballs enigmas, particular at the youth level. They advanced to the final of the 1981 FIFA World Youth Championship final, losing to the then West Germany. They qualified for the FIFA event after finishing second in the AFC U-20 Championship, losing to Korea Republic in the final.
Then again, in 1990, Qatar finished fourth in the FIFA U-17 Championship and prior to qualifying for the championship, finished as champions in the AFC U-17 Championship in the same year.
In the AFC U-17 Championship, Qatar finished as runner up at least five times in 1984, 1986, 1992, 1994 and 1998.
At the senior level, Qatar had won the Gulf Cup twice in 2004 and 1992. On both these occasions, Qatar was the host. The national senior team has also qualified for the Asian Cup finals, at least seven times in 1980, 1984, 1988, 1996, 2000 and 2004.
In order to sustain their success, the Qataris have once again turned their attention to youth development, particularly through the Aspire Academy which was launched in September 2004.
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