An Aspire Academy player (right) tries to go past Inter Milan goalkeeper Nicola Tintori during their match yesterday.
Aspire started brightly and, five minutes in, a low drive from Abdulrasheed Ibrahim from the edge of the area provided an early test for Nicola Tintori. This was the first shot that the Italian keeper had needed to save in the competition, after previous opponents Shanghai Greenland had failed to hit the target in a game that Inter had completely dominated. It was becoming clear that Aspire Academy would provide a far more stern examination of Milan’s credentials.
Perhaps mindful of Inter’s midfield prowess, Aspire looked to release the ball early for their forwards to run on to, and the Italian backline came under some pressure in the early stages. The Academy’s tenacity yielded a corner on 11 minutes, taken short from the right by Ahmed al-Minhali, and in the ensuing scramble the ball fell to Abdulla Almurisi, who shot just wide of the right-hand post.
Inter’s 7-0 demolition of Shanghai had led some observers to suggest that they had the quality to go all the way in this tournament. However, for the opening quarter of this match it was Aspire – who themselves had handed out a 6-1 hammering to the Chinese side – who were in the ascendancy, as Milan struggled to retain possession.
Unfortunately, the locals were rarely able to convert their impressive build-up play into clear-cut chances, despite the best efforts of the impressive Ibrahim, as Inter’s stubborn defence demonstrated the famed characteristics of the Italian catennacio system.
And, at the other end of the pitch, the Milanese were beginning to impose themselves as an engrossing game became finely balanced. As the clock ticked down towards the end of the first half, Inter forward Luka Kerin broke free and curled a promising effort towards the top right corner, only for a deflection to take the ball wide. It was Milan’s best chance of an opening period characterised by tough tackling rather than technique.
Aspire created the first opening of the second half when Almurisi ran on to a long ball from midfield, only for the keeper to dash from his line and smother. But the tide was soon to turn against the home team, courtesy of a stunning purple patch from Pio Russo.
On 55 minutes Inter won a free kick 25 yards out, which was expertly hammered goalwards by the Italian number 14, only to flash just wide of the top corner. A minute later the prodigiously talented forward made up for his misfortune, latching on to a ball over the top from Gabriele Zappa, and getting in behind the defence to drill a low shot home.
Aspire instantly pushed forward, but their attack broke down and moments later Russo was on target again, smashing a rising shot into the top left corner having intercepted the ball 30 yards out, losing his boot – but not his shooting instinct – in the process.
To their credit, Aspire kept their composure and, in so doing, displayed a professionalism that belied their tender years. The blues almost got a goal back on 65 minutes when Almurisi cut inside from the left and fired a blistering shot that Tintori could only parry into the path of Yusuf Yusuf, who was flagged offside as he forced the ball home.
The game had suddenly burst into life and, seconds later, Yusuf had another great chance as he broke from the right, only for his rising effort to fly over the bar.
Aspire fought hard to try and retrieve the situation and, on 69 minutes, they had a plausible penalty claim turned down when the irrepressible Almurisi wriggled past several challenges before laying off to Yusuf, who was blocked as he advanced on goal from the left.
Academy’s misfortune was Inter’s good luck, and five minutes later the Italians went three up against the run of play when Giorgio Vitali played in Elia Visconti, advancing down the inside left channel, who made no mistake with a fine cross-shot into the far corner.
With seven minutes remaining, Aspire had keeper Marwan El Din to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable. Roberto di Jenno raced down the left before crossing to Zate Gnoukouri, whose fine effort was superbly tipped over the bar by the Academy shot-stopper.
Ultimately, Aspire could count themselves unlucky to have lost by a three-goal margin, having arguably had the better of the first half, and created several presentable chances in the second period.
It is perhaps no coincidence that they failed to score against the only side in the tournament who are yet to concede a goal…and have scored 10 in two games. Inter may have been slow out of the blocks against the Academy, but they have already shown that they will be extremely difficult to beat. Aspire, meanwhile, should take great heart from a brave performance in which they refused to lie down, despite the disappointing scoreline.
