25 Jan 2026
Aspire Academy’s under-17 team eased to a 4-2 win over Tunisia’s Etoile Du Sahel to ensure a 100% record in Group A of the 11th edition of the Alkass International Cup.
After a goalless first half, Osama Ibrahim Mohamed gave hosts Aspire Academy the lead just three minutes after the break, and that lead was doubled three minutes later by captain Mohsain Abdulla Alhajri.
Mazen Gazzeh got Etoile Du Sahel back into the match when he scored in the 57th minute. Aspire Academy’s two-goal cushion was then restored after an own goal by defender Mohamed Aziz Marzougi.
With one minute of normal time remaining, Mazen Gazzeh reduced the deficit once again as he converted from the penalty spot.
Aspire Academy sealed the win with a fourth goal deep into injury time from substitute Taha Nassir.
The loss meant Etoile finished third in Group A and will now take part in the 5th- to 8th-place play-off games.
The other match in the group saw Morocco’s Mohammed VI Football Academy grab the runner-up spot thanks to a 2-0 win over Scottish side Rangers, who finished bottom of the pool with just a single point.
Group B concluded with Spain’s Barcelona and France’s Paris Saint-Germain both winning 3-1 over PVF Academy from Vietnam and Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol, respectively.
The results see Barcelona win the group, and they will now face Mohammed VI in the semi-finals of the main cup, while PSG will play Aspire Academy in the other semi-final. Both matches are set for Monday.
Sunday’s play-offs will see Etoile Du Sahel take on PVF Academy, and Rangers against PVF Academy.