13 Jan 2017
Doha, 12 January 2017. Aspire Zone Foundation owned team, KAS Eupen came out victorious by a solitary goal in a closely fought friendly match against Chinese Top League side, Shanghai SIPG played on Thursday 12th January night at Aspire Academy. French midfielder Florian Taulemesse calmly dispatched a penalty kick on 75th minute for the game’s only goal and ensure victory for the Belgian Pro League side.
The first half was an evenly contested affair with few changes at both ends but KAS Eupen nearly took the lead from a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box which cannoned off the cross bar. Most of Shanghai’s threats came from some skillful play orchestrated by their Brazilian international duo of Hulk and Oscar.
The Chinese club managed by Portuguese mentor, Andre Villas Boas who was a star chart guest at Aspire Academy Global Summit last October paraded both their most recent signings Oscar and Ricardo Carvalho. KAS Eupen acquitted themselves with some good football with striker Jefreen Suarez at the center of some of their finest moves, and in the second half threw in pacey players who had the opponents troubled by their speed.
KAS Eupen and Shanghai SIPG are both currently holding their winter training camps at Aspire Academy in readiness for the second half their respective league seasons.