27 Jan 2018
Doha, 27 January 2018. A day after Aspire Academy ‘s run in this year’s Al Kass International Cup came to an end in the quarter-finals PSG made sure the name ASPIRE will not be added to the winners of the Al Kass International Cup this year with a 4-2 post match penalty-shoot-out win over Aspire Football Dreams (AFD) on Saturday 27 January. In a hugely awaited quarter-final clash between two enterprising sides, PSG and AFD the fans were treated to duel worthy of the tournament as the teams tried to find a way past the other’s defence. It was PSG who had first real chance to open scoring when Massinissa Oufella who unleashed a power drive on to be denied by AFD goalkeeper’s finger tips that diverted the shot onto the post and out of play. The French lads were bossing the early exchanges with some penetrative and potent wing play. Attempts on goal from both sides failed to produce goals with goalkeepers snuffing out shots or the final ball intercepted by defence during most of the attacks mounted by the two sides.
A thrilling battle was brewing in the midfield but as the first half wore on it was AFD who had the lions’ hare of opportunities but they missed a good number of these. Striker Isaac Nuhu and Sibiry Keita had chances go begging as AFD went close to getting a goal. The Deja-vu feeling was beginning to creep in on AFD as they missed one opportunity after another with Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand content on maintain their shape in defence and closing down in numbers. The teams went into the break with the score line still nil-nil after a first half which saw Aspire Football Dreams shading the opportunities and possession.
Halfway into the second half, it was still a tight affair with little to tell on who was going to win the match although Aspire Football Dreams were making it really hard for Paris Saint-Germain to crafted chances while maintaining pressure on their goal. The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Trey Vimalin was called upon to made important saves that kept his side in the match, the best of which was a penalty stop with ten minutes to the end of the match. Referee spotted handball by PSG defender, Adil Aouchiche but substitute striker, Umar Lutalo’s well taken penalty was well saved by Vimalin who dived to his left and parried the ball back into play much to AFD players’ disbelief.
Having been thrown a life-line PSG mounted a last ditch attempt to win it themselves with some attacks on AFD goal but the match would end goalless and brought on the dreaded penalty-shoot-out which the French won 4-2 to set up a semi final clash against Esperance sportive de Tunis on Monday 29th January, while AFD engages with Aspire Academy in a fight for 5 to 8 placement.