19 Mar 2025
Aspire Academy has continued its Ramadan series of international football friendlies with some testing matches against teams from Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg. The training games during the holy month of Ramadan provide the young student-athletes with invaluable international match experience. The latest round of matches featured exciting encounters for Aspire Academy’s 2010, 2011, and 2012 generations.
The matches are a key part of the overall development of the Academy’s footballers. They aim to enhance player development by exposing young footballers to international competition, allowing them to refine their skills and adapt to different playing styles in a professional and challenging environment.
Marc Pfertzel, Football Head Coach for the 2009 generation at Aspire Academy, pointed out the significance of the friendly matches:
“Matches like these push our players—and our staff—to their limits, something much harder to achieve when competing only within local competitions. During Ramadan, I’ve noticed how well our players adapt during this time. They remain fresh—not just physically but also mentally. Their attentiveness and engagement are consistently evident, demonstrating great professionalism in balancing their training and Ramadan commitments.
Ahmed Reda Madouni, coach of the 2010 generation, added, “These matches provided a great opportunity to highlight key areas for improvement, particularly in defensive structure and possession play.” Playing against international teams exposes our athletes to higher-intensity levels and varied challenges, helping them develop both technically and mentally.
The visit by Zenit saw Aspire Academy face some tough matches over two match days. Alongside the competitive matches, visiting teams benefit from Aspire Academy’s world-class facilities and experience the renowned Qatari hospitality.
Zenit St. Petersburg Coach Praises Aspire Academy Experience
Lev Mokeichev, coach of Zenit’s 2010 team, shared his thoughts on the experience, emphasising the academy’s welcoming atmosphere and the strong performance of the Aspire Academy players:
“We are very grateful for the hospitality. The key takeaway from this visit has been the open attitude towards new experiences—whether it’s people, knowledge, or technology. This is what makes Aspire Academy such a cutting-edge institution. The Aspire Academy players we competed against have great potential. We were particularly impressed by their respectful attitude towards their opponents, which reflects a strong football culture and discipline. For our players, this trip has been an incredibly positive experience. They are truly grateful for the opportunity to gain international exposure and to compete under real match pressure."
More Exciting Fixtures Ahead
Aspire Academy’s Football Friendly Series will continue, with upcoming matchups featuring 2007-generation players from Kuwait’s national team and 2009-generation players from Kusadasi KS in Turkey.
Through these friendly matches, Aspire Academy remains committed to nurturing football excellence, providing young athletes with the opportunity to grow, compete, and develop in a world-class sporting environment.