31 Jan 2017
Doha, 31st January 2017. Aspire Academy finished in second spot at the 2017 Al Kass International Cup after going down 2-0 to Spanish side Real Madrid in the final played, Tuesday 31st January at Aspire Academy. A capacity crowd watched the final worthy of the culmination of what has been pulsating youth football competition over the ten days where Aspire did Qatar proud by competing well against Real Madrid who were appearing in their third Al Kass International Cup final
Best chance in first half for Real Madrid saw Carlos Lopez thread the ball through to Raul De Blas who took it in his stride before seeing his shot sail past Aspire goalkeeper, Shehab Ellethy outstretched leg and agonizingly close to the opening goal. Having soaked up the pressure from Madrid Aspire made fewer threats on the opposition’s goal especially from corner kicks but neither team could break the dead log in the first half.
The two sides slugged it out for a greater part of the second half but it was not until 79th minute when Madrid took the lead through a fortuitous goal. Madrid substitute Marvin Akinlabi skipped past Aspire’s Mohammed Al Naimi and sent in a low cross which Ellethy parried back into paly and in the ensuing melee an intended clearance ricocheted came off Jose Antonio Simal’s shins and went in for the opening goal much to the disappointment of the Aspire defence.
As Aspire pushed for an equalizer the game opened up. On 89th minute Real Madrid substitute Antonio Casas Marin made sure of his side’s first Al Kass International Cup win with a beautifully struck volley from long range that beat Ellethy hands down. Aspire Academy’s brave effort that saw them reach their first ever Al Kass International Cup was acknowledged and recognized by all present.