22 Jan 2017
Doha, 22nd January 2017. Aspire Academy started their 2017 Al Kass International Cup campaign with a slender 2-1 win over Raja Casablanca from Morocco on day 2 of the world best youth football tournaments. Second half goals from Abdulrasheed Ibrahim and Mekki Tombari ensured the hosts advance from Group A to the next stage of the competition as the win condemned their opponents to their second loss in as many days.
Aspire Academy started the game like a house on fire making forays into Raja penalty area repeatedly. From one such move Raja conceded their 3rd penalty of the tournament but Aspire’s Yusuf Yusuf – a usually sure footed penalty-taker according to his coach Bruno Pinheiro struck the cross bar with his spot kick. The miss seemed to have energized Raja who rallied back to mount some threats on Aspire‘s goal with their captain Riad Idbouiguiguine orchestrating the moves.
Despite the gilt edged chances at both ends it remained goalless at half time. Ten minutes into the second half Raja lost their influential captain Idbouiguiguine when a second yellow left his side down to ten men. Aspire made the most of the extra men and a few mutes after the dismissal substitute Ibrahim broke the deadlock when he finished off a low cross from Man of the Match Hisham Ali. In the next move the roles were reversed with Ibrahim finding Ali with a delightful chip but the latter’s header with a gapping goal sailed over the cross-bar.
On 68th minute Aspire had goal-minder Shehab Ellethy to thank for staying ahead after he diverted to the upright a stinging shot from substitute Hamza Amama as Raja went searching for the equalizer. Another substitute Tombari gave Aspire the cushion they were looking for with a second goal after a neat exchange of passes involving once again, Ali and Ibrahim. Raja refused to lie down and got one back on 81st minute when Soufiane Mahrouk beat the offside trap and shot past Ellethy.
The last few minutes produced a nervous end for Aspire Academy as the game opened up and Raja mounted yet another comeback attempt. Raja fought back from 3-0 down against PSV Eindhoven on match day 1 to eventually lose 3-2 including missing a last minute played that could have earned them a draw. But it wasn’t to be as Aspire hung on to win and reach the quarter final of 2017 Al Kass International Cup.
After the match Aspire Academy coach, Bruno Pinheiro paid compliments to his charges saying, “I thought we started off very well and created good chances but we ended up having to fight hard to collect maximum points. We needed a second goal because we were up against a good team in Raja and there are no easy games in this competition and we battle hard for our win today. Now we look forward to the next game and our aim remains the same to play our best and keep improving with each game” concluded the Portuguese coach.
His opposite number, Omar Nejjary head coach of Raja Casablanca congratulated Aspire for their win saying, “It was always going to be difficult for my boys to play two games in two consecutive days and the PSV Eindhoven match yesterday took a lot out of us physically. Today we played against a side that is made of the best of Qatar and we tried hard but they overcame us and it was even more difficult for us when we went down to ten men but well done to Aspire Academy for the victory”
Aspire Academy returns to action tomorrow Monday 23rd against PSV Eindhoven in a march that will decide who tops Group A.