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The DAILY NEWS 1 Wednesday 11 February 2015 GAMES GO TO PLAN FOR GUNNERS & MILAN ASPIRE INTERNATIONAL AND PSG TO SET PULSES RACING IN MATINEE MATCH-UP SAO PAULO AND MADRID LOOK THE REAL DEAL The Al Kass International Cup Wednesday 11 Feb, 2015 DAILY NEWS 2 3 ASPIRE INTERNATIONAL AND PSG TO SET PULSES SAO PAULO AND MADRID LOOK THE REAL DEAL RACING IN MATINEE MATCH-UP The first game on Wednesday pits Aspire through an audacious strike, direct from a free kick, reminiscent of French legend Didier Deschamps, Brazilian bravura meets Spanish sparkle in effort, a goal that would have graced any stage, and in particular has impressed this year, his dynamic International’s multinational squad against Paris by Nanitamo Ikone. They went on to win 3-1 and who captained his national team to both World Cup Wednesday’s second match, the last of the quarter- one that was almost impossible to defend against. running and close control making life difficult for any Saint-Germain, and both sides have excellent never looked troubled against a competitive Atletico and European Championship victory. finals stage. Sao Paulo have shown consistent defender he faces. He scored a superb goal in Real’s records in the Al Kass tournament. PSG won the side, with many observers instantly tipping the improvement over their two games, while Real No fewer that 13 members of Real’s 20-man first game against Schalke, and his spellbinding form inaugural Al Kass Cup in 2012 and finished second French side as tournament winners. Visitors to Aspire Zone are in for a treat this Madrid have demonstrated a technical ability that squad are veterans of Al Kass 2014, and their deep suggests there are more to come. the following year, before falling at the group stages afternoon, with a winner impossible to predict as sets them apart from many of their contemporaries. familiarity with one another is abundantly clear in 2014 to widespread amazement. Their second game, against Sao Paulo, was a two of the tournament’s heavyweights go head-to- on the pitch, with crisp passing and constant Sao Paulo possess a team ethic that will make completely different story. Head coach Rodrigues head. At stake is a semi-final berth against Arsenal, Sao Paulo were in action on Saturday having just movement key components of their approach. them difficult to beat. Captain Ruben Felipe leads Meanwhile current holders Aspire are feared by all. made eight changes to the starting line-up, and another side whose momentum could yet take them stepped off a 20-hour flight from their home city, by example, ensuring that the Brazilian defence They have speed, strength and skill throughout their the Brazilians took full advantage, displaying flair all the way. and they took time to assert their dominance One notable absentee from the Spanish line-up is provides a platform for the side’s attacking team and, although the composition of their squad and fortitude to go four goals ahead in the first 45 against Schalke 04, waiting until added time Luca Zidane, son of the legendary Zinedine, who riches. Eder Militao and Igor Pereira hunt as a pair has altered massively since last year, they have minutes. PSG barely laid a glove on their opponents to strike the winning goal when a 1-1 draw had was voted goalkeeper of the tournament in 2014. in midfield, snuffing out danger at source and retained continuity thanks to highly skilled coaching as they fell to a shock 5-0 defeat. Rodrigues had appeared certain. However, his boots have been filled by Brian Marino, delivering a steady supply of accurate passes to and an ongoing adherence to a 4-4-2 system. presumably rung the changes in the knowledge Captain Jean Mvondo who has graduated from his place on the bench last their teammates, while also offering a threat from that his team had already qualified, but the penalty The Brazilians had only hinted at their potential year to perform with credit between the sticks so distance with their powerful shooting. Last year’s team was selected from prodigies of for finishing second rather than top of Group D is a is their defensive against Schalke, but their performance against far. the Aspire Academy in Senegal, but this year their clash against the awe-inspiring Aspire International. PSG the following day was in the world-class Gustavo Dos Santos and Paulo da Silva have squad has a truly cosmopolitan feel and includes linchpin, striking bracket. Put simply, PSG were blown away by Sao Just like the senior team, Real have quality running combined more effectively than any other strike two products of Glasgow Celtic’s youth set-up, Innes Still, if PSG’s form is to be judged, then it should be Paulo’s winning combination of defensive steel and all the way through their team, with a preference for partnership in the tournament so far. With three Murray and Jack Mooney, alongside players from on their performance in the first match rather than fear into opponents attacking brio as they stormed to a 4-0 half-time 4-4-2 giving the side a solidity to accompany stability goals apiece, their perpetual motion and telepathic Ecuador, Paraguay, North Korea and Kazakhstan the second, and they clearly possess the talent to lead, adding a fifth without reply in the second half. of personnel. Marino is shielded by a back four who understanding tore PSG apart, and they will be amongst others. trouble Aspire if they are on their game. Organised, with his combative Their showing in this game was easily the most know each other’s game inside out, while their confident of making their mark once again, despite strong and pacey, PSG will seek to move the ball impressive of all the group stage matches, and they midfield oozes class. Captain Oscar Rodriguez was facing the considerable task of overcoming a solid Captain Jean Mvondo is their defensive linchpin, forward quickly as they look to outrun Aspire’s approach. As will have gained enormous self-belief as a result. one of the stars of the tournament in 2014, and he Real backline. striking fear into opponents with his combative backline. has maintained his imperious form this year, closing approach. As his performance against Real Madrid his performance Real Madrid handed out a lesson in possession down, prompting and striking from distance at will. Both sides are in great form, and selecting a winner demonstrated however, he can occasionally be Striker Odsonne Edouard has the talent to deliver football in their opening 4-1 defeat of Schalke Alongside him is the equally impressive Gregorio looks highly challenging, even by the unpredictable over-physical, and match officials will have to against even the best-organised defences, as he against Real Madrid 04, and were unlucky to come up against such Teruel, and the duo have formed an exquisite central standards of this tournament so far. The victorious be vigilant to ensure he does not cross the line demonstrated last year by hitting a devastating hat- formidable opponents in the shape of Aspire midfield partnership that is capable of dictating the side will go on to face AC Milan, who have already between competitiveness and over-aggression. trick in PSG’s opening game of Al Kass 2014 against demonstrated International in their second game. That contest game regardless of the opposition. demonstrated a supernatural ability to come back Regardless, it says much for the effectiveness of Barcelona. Edouard emerged with the best goals per was one for the footballing purists as both sides from the dead in their two group games, so an Aspire’s defence that they have yet to concede a game ratio of any player in the tournament, scoring however, he can provided vivid demonstrations of their maturity and Up front the two Alvaros – Alcantara and Nogueras enthralling semi-final awaits regardless of today’s goal in the tournament. four in three appearances, one of which was as a ability on the ball. The game could have gone either –possess abundant attacking talent. They are both result. substitute. occasionally be over- way but was ultimately settled by Jean Amani’s fine veterans of the 2014 tournament, and Nogueras Midfielder Jean Amani has been in sensational form this year, having captained his side to Al Kass In attacking midfielder Wilfride Kanga, Edouard physical, and match victory in 2014. Amani scored one of the goals of has the perfect foil. The two have developed an the tournament thus far against Real Madrid, and instinctive understanding and Aspire will have to officials will have to MATCH SCORES he looks more than ready to make the move up into be at their very best to keep them at bay. In fact, the professional game. such is their potency that it came as a major surprise be vigilant to ensure when Edouard was left on the bench for PSG’s Aspire International brushed aside Schalke 04 on the previous game. He seems certain to start today, he does not cross opening day of the tournament with a 2-0 victory, and has every reason to believe he can make an and then emerged unscathed from an altogether impression. the line between 1 - 0 3 - 0 more testing examination against Real Madrid in a repeat of last year’s final, with Amani’s wonderstrike PSG have height throughout their side, with competitiveness and delivering a 1-0 win. midfielder Lorenzo Callegari one of the few players under six feet tall. However, his distribution and over-aggression. Arsenal River Plate AC Milan Aspire Academy PSG also made a strong start to their 2015 campaign, close control skills are at the heart of the Parisians’ racing into an early lead against Atletico Madrid