20 Jul 2017
Doha, 20 July 2017. Aspire Academy graduate Akram Afif scored twice as Qatar opened their AFC U-23 2018 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Turkmenistan. Afif who recently returned to KAS Eupen in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League on a season loan from his Spanish LaLiga side, Villarreal CF struck in first half as the hosts dominated. In an earlier match at the same venue Syria beat India by the same score line 2-0. The four teams are playing in Group C of the AFC U-23, 2018 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Qatar U-23 team is coached by Felix Sanchez and made up of almost entirely Aspire Academy student graduates. This team is largely made up of the victorious squad that won the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship back in 2014
Akram Afif was quoted after the match saying, “It was a great match, we worked hard and played well as a team and we are pleased to start the qualifiers by picking up all three points”.
The July 19-23 qualifiers are taking place at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. Turkmenistan, India and Syria are the three sides to play matches against each other and hosts Qatar. Tomorrow 21st July, Qatar takes on India before winding up with a clash against Syria two days later.