07 Dec 2017
Doha 7 December 2017: Aspire Academy U-11 Feeder Team finished top of the group after beating visiting Tunisia side, Etoile du Sahel 2-1. Aspire played out a thrilling 2-2 draw two days earlier in their opening match with Pakistan side, Karachi United. With Karachi United going down to Etoile du Sahel, the Aspire boys needed nothing short of victory to clinch the series and two goals from Ali Al Romaihi proved enough to despite Etoile du Sahel getting one back through Rayen Gara. Etoile du Sahel finished in second place with Karachi United third. Karachi United club director-Football Operations, Taha Alizai hailed the world class facilities at Aspire, the hospitality and tournament organization saying, “We are grateful for the invitation to Tri-Series which has been a very good experience for us here in beautiful Qatar to play against Aspire and Etoil du Sahel It’s the first time to travel out of Pakistan for most of our boys and this rich experience can only serve to develop them further as players. Both Aspire and Etoile du Sahel played good football that gave our boys a worthy challenge and l am pleased that we were able to compete favourably against both opponents and we will take some valuables lessons with us back home from this wonderful tournament”
Meanwhile Etoile du Sahel team coordinator, Slim Derouiche also expressed the Tunisians’ gratitude for the invitation from Aspire to play in the Tri-Series saying, “It has been a different environment and football experience to that our boys are used to but definitely a worthy one for us. Aspire Academy facilities are second to none and we are pleased that we finished first in one age group (U-12) but l think all three teams played some good football. The boys and staff will take back great memories of Aspire and Qatar.”