04 May 2017
Doha, 4 May 2017. Aspire Academy football teams from generations 2002, 2003 and 2004 entertained European counterparts in the form of Paris Saint –Germain and Brondby IF from France and Denmark respectively in the latest Tri-Series held 30 April to 3rd May 2017. Going into the final day’s matches, two of Aspire Academy sides, 2002 and 2004 generation needed to wins over PSG for overall victory. This was not to be but it was the 2003 generation side that prevailed over PSG courtesy of a solitary goal from Abdullah Sarhan. Unfortunately Aspire had succumbed to Brondby IF two days before and it was the Danes who claimed the overall victory in the category. Aspire Academy 2003 generation will draw lots of comfort from being the only team to get a win over a PSG side during this Tri-series.
Aspire Academy 2004 generation side performed well to open their account with a 3-1 win over Brondby, that’s to goals from Yousef Elkhatib, Rashid Al-Abdulla and Ahmed Al-Rawi. In a tightly contested match against PSG, trailed to an early goal but hit back at the start of second half from a well taken penalty by Ahmed Al-Rawi. A draw would have been good enough to win the Series for Aspire and the boys fought bravely to go in-front. It was PSG however who struck twice more before Rashid Al-Abdulla scored a second for Aspire. The equalizer didn’t come though and PSG won the Series.
Meanwhile Head of U-10- U-15 teams at Brondby IF, Kenneth Nielsen was back at Aspire since 2010 and said he had seen the positive growth from Aspire teams then compared to now. “ It is my second time here and seven years ago we played against Aspire and l can certainly say Aspire has really developed and the players are more organized , more fit and its evident the progress Aspire football has made over this period. Aspire has grown and will be even bigger and better and l look forward to seeing Aspire teams playing in Europe because you are now competitive and capable of doing so against sides anywhere in the world. From my personal view and my heart it will really be exciting to see where Qatar’s football will be in 2022 due to the impressive work done in football in the country and here at Aspire Academy.”
Aspire Academy new Football Technical Director, Edorta Murua was in attendance for his first Tri-series tournament and presented the winners with accolades. “ Tri-series is an integral part of the work we do in football here at Aspire and l am well pleased to be at my first tournament which l must say has had very good competitive football on display from all three clubs involved” said Technical Director, Edorta Murua.