February 11 – Arsenal and AC Milan qualified for the semi-finals of the Al Kass International Cup in Doha, Qatar. Arsenal, who survived everything their Argentine opponents could throw at them – including punches and kicks at the final whistle – will meet either Paris St Germain or holders Aspire International in the next round on Friday. AC Milan will meet either Real Madrid or Sao Paulo.
The 12-team U17 club tournament, which kicked off February 5, culminates Sunday February 15 with the final and third place pay off.
The tournament brings together some of the hottest youth talent from some of the biggest clubs in the world from Europe and South America. As hosts, Qatar has two teams in the tournament, both of which made it out the groups to compete in the knock-out phase. Holders Aspire International are one of the favourites to make the final again.
In the first quarter final English Premier League Arsenal overcame Argentina’s River Plate with a headed goal from their captain Kylen Hinds in the 65th minute. The match became a brawl at the end with River Plate players, frustrated at being knocked out of the tournament, attacking their opponents at the final whistle sparking disappointing scenes to mar what has been trouble-free tournament to date.
AC Milan overcame a battling Aspire Academy team who went behind in the dieing seconds of the first half with a goal from defender Raul Zuchetti. Aspire fought their way back into the game and had chances of their own before two goals in the 81st and 83rd minutes by forward Juvenal Agnero put the game beyond their reach.
The Qatari organisers have been using the tournament to engage local people in sports activities. Thousands of locals turned up to watch the quarter-finals and take part in sports at the Aspire Zone, with an emphasis on participation rather than high performance.
The stars of the future will provide the high performance entertainment again today with the second set of quarter finals being played at the Aspire Zone. Aspire International facing PSG and a Spain vs Brazil clash with Real Madrid up against Sao Paulo.
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