07 Feb 2016
Doha, 7 February 2016. On day 3 of the 'Al Kass International Cup' Aspire Football Dreams overcame Kashiwa Reysol by a single goal, ensuring that both teams made it out of Group B at the expense of Benfica.
The Japanese side had fought hard to overcome a battling Portuguese team just 24 hours previously, and had done so playing with only 10 men for most of the match. Aspire had only drawn against the Glorioso, and therefore needed to pick up at least a point against Reysol to be sure of making it to the knockout stage.
Aspire began as they meant to go on, bursting straight out of the blocks to race into the lead while Aspire Zone spectators were still taking their seats.
There had seemed little danger when Aladji Diallo played a short pass to Alhassane Soumah 25 yards out, but the explosive midfielder took a touch before firing an unstoppable shot high into the top left corner. This early goal (2') secured Aspire Football Dreams a 1-0 win and at the final whistle, both sides were confirmed for the knockout stage.