21 Jan 2014
Doha January 21, 2014. Aspire International breezed into the Al Kass International Cup final following a stunning 3-0 victory over Fluminense. Putting in the performance of the tournament, the Senegal-based side completely dominated the 2013 champions from start to finish, and their looming contest against Real Madrid will hold no fears for these formidable footballers.
Fluminense had reached the semi-final stage with three vastly differing displays - listless against Auxerre, magical against Milan, and businesslike against Barca. They took to the field on Tuesday as slight favourites, resplendent in a fluorescent orange kit that dazzled onlookers. However, their performance on the night was far from dazzling.
Instead, it was Aspire International who stole the limelight. Dominant for the course of the full 90 minutes, they ultimately turned this keenly awaited clash into a training ground exercise, dispatching their Brazilian opposition with ease.
Pulling the strings at the heart of it all was the thoroughly impressive Lawrence Effiong, operating in a defensive midfield role which allowed attacking teammate Alasana Manneh to take up an advanced position.
Tenacious and skilful, Effiong’s sophisticated performance at the back provided a platform for his attacking teammates to terrorise and intimidate the Fluminense defence.
Getting his side’s shot count underway on just two minutes was Sophas Kaweke, who fired a long-range effort that hinted at the bombardment that Aspire were soon to unleash.
Combining with Manneh three minutes later, Funsho Bamgboye threatened the Fluminense goal again with a lobbed effort that keeper Filipe dos Santos did well to keep out.
On 34 minutes Aspire International fashioned their best chance of the opening half when Bamgboye received a finely weighted pass from Manneh, before turning to beat his marker at the edge of the Fluminense box. Looking certain to score his fifth of the tournament, the Nigerian striker had just the keeper to beat, but lost his footing and fired just wide.
Fluminense were becoming reliant on such misfortune, as Aspire’s strikers ran riot.
Mustering just a single shot before the interval, the Brazilian team deserved to be two or three goals down at half time, and were soon punished for their ineffectual showing.
Breaking the deadlock on 47 minutes, Jean Amani received a sideways pass from Muritala Quadri at the edge of the box before turning to hammer home past Filipe dos Santos.
The advantage was doubled minutes later, when Quadri produced another moment of magic with an electric run through the heart of the Fluminense defence. Taking a shot from inside the box, the forward struck confidently to record his first goal of the tournament.
Finally appearing to register the task in front of them, Flu briefly attempted a fightback, but their opponent’s sheer will to win meant resistance was futile. First to every ball, Aspire snapped at the heels of the Brazilians, consistently retrieving then retaining possession.
With ten minutes remaining, a strike from Manneh put the result beyond doubt. Receiving the ball from Amani, the gifted midfielder turned smartly 25 yards from goal before letting rip with a powerful strike that Filipe dos Santos could only stand and watch as it flew into the net. The icing on the cake of a magnificent team performance, the goal resigned the Brazilians to defeat and wrapped up another convincing Aspire display.
Fluminense will now have the chance to restore some pride against AC Milan as the two sides battle for third place on Wednesday, while Aspire can look forward to an appetising final on Thursday as they come up against Real Madrid. Based on tonight’s stupendous performance, it may be the Spaniards who are looking over their shoulders.