DOHA: Estudiantes de la Plata claimed the seventh spot of the Al Kass International Cup 2016 when they held off Aspire Academy 4-2 in a penalty shootout, following a head to head battle which prevailed both sides from tasting victory at full time. The contest was lit up by a stunning individual goal from Aspire’s Khalid Mansour with scores leveling at 1-1 in normal time.
The Argentines were operating with three centre backs and two wing-backs, and the deployment of an extra defender meant that close attention was continually paid to Aspire’s frontline, who found progress difficult. Equally, the formation allowed Estudiantes to commit extra numbers forward as required, and this strategy paid dividends on the half hour, when the Argentines broke the deadlock in unusual circumstances.
Franco Avila chased down a high pass through the inside right channel. As El Din rushed from his goal to intercept, the ball struck the advancing midfielder on the back, and Ivan Erquiga quickly gathered and squared inside for Franco Rodriguez to fire home, with the keeper stranded.
With five minutes of the half remaining, Mansour notched one of the goals of the tournament. Picking up the ball 10 yards inside the opposition half, he sprinted forward, evading two tough challenges before executing a superb chip from the right of the penalty area that nestled in the far corner.
Few missed chances saw the game drifting towards the inevitable penalty shootout. The first two spot kicks were scored before Aspire’s Ahmad Sebaie’s powerful effort cannoned back off the crossbar, handing Estudiantes an advantage that increased when Abdulaziz Al-Hasia saw his poor effort saved.
With the shootout score at 3-2 to Estudiantes, Pablo Corroto had the chance to win it for the Argentines. He did so with aplomb, executing an impish ‘Panenka’ kick to consign Aspire Academy to eight place.
In the second match played last evening, Kashiwa Reysol trounced the Saudi Arabian Al Ahli 4-1. For the Japanese, Nakamura (9’), Tanaka (36’) and Asakura (38’) scored to give their side a 3-0 lead before Alsibyani netted the only goal for the Saudis.
Onodera netted one in the 76’ th minute as the Japanese boys finished off with a comfortable lead.
The Peninsula
