Celtic edge Benfica; PSG crush Shanghai 13-0

Celtic secured a sensational last-ditch 3-2 victory against a Benfica side who had dominated from start to finish, to climb above their Portuguese rivals in the Al Kass International Cup 2016 rankings.
Hundreds of people had flocked to Aspire Zone to participate in National Sport Day, and those who attended the opening game of Day 5 were treated to a marvellous footballing spectacle.
Both sides had failed to make it to the knockout stage, having each been drawn in particularly challenging groups. This game would therefore decide who would finish ninth and tenth in the rankings.
With little but pride at stake, coach Michael O’Halloran therefore made several changes to Celtic’s starting line-up in order to give as many squad members as possible a taste of the unique Al Kass atmosphere. Keeper Aidan McAdams retained his place and was made captain for the day – a proud experience for any youngster.
In the 23rd minute, Benfica broke the deadlock in tremendous style.
 Edi Semedo set off on a marauding run from his own half, sprinting clear to go one-on-one with McAdams, before a heavy touch from the Portuguese striker allowed the keeper to save. However, the Scots did not clear their lines, and the ball fell to Tiago Dantas wide on the left. He swung in a cross, which Ricardo Campos met on the edge of the area with a powerful first-time volley that flew into the net. The strike was undoubtedly a contender for Goal of the Tournament, and no less than The Glorioso deserved for a dominant display.
The game was completely one-sided at this stage, and Benfica should have been out of sight by half time. Instead, on 43 minutes, Celtic snatched an equaliser with their first attempt on goal. Kerr McInroy crossed from the left to Max Potter, who took a touch before lashing the ball high into the net from close range, handing the Bhoys a lifeline that their tepid display thus far had scarcely merited.
The introduction from the bench of Michael Johnston to the Celtic attack in the second period had at least injected some much-needed urgency into the Glasgow side’s play, and on 65 minutes the striker ran on to a ball over the top and embarked on a fine run from the right, but his low shot lacked accuracy and drifted wide of the left-hand post.
Four minutes later, Benfica deservedly regained the lead after Dantas retrieved a loose ball on the right of the area, chipping back in for Ricardo Campos to power his header past a helpless McAdams.
Despite their generally unconvincing performance, Celtic continued to show the fight that had characterised their earlier matches, and this battling approach again brought reward on 78 minutes, when Keiran Campbell picked up the ball on the right corner of the area and fed Christian Antoniazzi, whose first touch took him away from his marker before shooting low into the right-hand corner for an equaliser that had seemed most unlikely on the balance of play.
With 10 minutes remaining, the game belatedly developed into a marvellously entertaining end-to-end contest, as both sides pushed forward in search of the winning goal.
 Despite being under the cosh for almost the entire game, Celtic rode their luck all the way to the 90th minute when, unbelievably, they stole the lead, and the game, in dramatic fashion.
Full back Stephen Welsh’s crossed from the left, and the ball fell to Kenneth Mearns 12 yards out, who volleyed home first time to secure a victory that was as unexpected as it was fortunate. Benfica were left to rue a host of chances that they had failed to put away.
 
Parisian perfection shatters shell-shocked Shanghai
Paris Saint-Germain sent the records tumbling, scoring an unprecedented 13 goals without reply against a sorry Shanghai.
 Both teams were no doubt looking to end the tournament with a win after each had suffered heavy defeats in their group games. Shanghai had lost 7-0 and 6-1 to Inter Milan and Aspire Academy respectively, while reigning champions PSG had been left shell-shocked by a first game defeat to Real Madrid by four goals to nil, followed by a humiliating defeat by three goals to one at the hands of unfancied Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ahli.
 When this tournament began, PSG could not have envisaged taking part in the match to decide the Al Kass wooden spoon. After winning last year’s tournament, they may have envisaged a similar outcome when they touched down in Doha for this year’s proceedings.
 As it was, the Parisians were left playing for pride, which they resoundingly restored at the expense of the unfortunate Chinese.
 In a statement of attacking intent, PSG’s line-up included four strikers, while midfield fulcrum Yacine Adli was also handed a start, having performed so impressively coming off the bench in their two previous games.
 From the first whistle, PSG teemed forward and within 45 seconds they had scored the fastest goal of this year’s tournament. Metehan Guclu broke down the right before crossing for striker Remi Cabral to dispatch a crisp shot with a minimum of fuss.
 Shanghai endeavoured to hold on in the face of PSG’s onslaught but their efforts were in vain. By the end of the half the Chinese looked shattered and dispirited, and no wonder, after shipping seven goals without reply.
 PSG’s Timothy Tarpeh Weah helped himself to a first-half hat-trick, scoring in the 15th, 17th and 33rd minutes, and would eventually end up with five. Meanwhile, the impressive Adli helped himself to two goals after virtually walking through Shanghai’s back line on both occasions. His second was caused by Shanghai’s Jun Jie Jiang, who attempted a risky pass across his own penalty area, to disastrous effect.
 Adli’s class was obvious, and too much for Shanghai to cope with, and the marauding midfielder would complete his own hat-trick in the second half.
 PSG’s other Cabral, Kevin, bagged himself a brace, including an impudent back heel that was the pick of the goals, and Claudio Gomes and impressive winger Guclu also helped themselves to one apiece.
 In spite of this incredible result, it was a case of too little too late for PSG, and they must be extremely disappointed not to have done better earlier in the tournament.
 With PSG heading home with an 11th placed finish and Shanghai coming last, the Al Kass tournament moves on to the knockout stages.