Aspire down Al Ahli, Real edge Reysol in penalties

Aspire Football Dreams kept their hopes of Al Kass glory alive, after edging past Al Ahli by a single goal in a gripping contest that looked to be heading for penalties until the deadlock was broken by Souleymane Aw late in the match.
Both sides had shown moments of genuine promise in their previous games. The Saudi outfit had surprised everyone with their impressive 3-0 defeat of PSG, while powerful, attacking football combined with tenacious pressing had characterised Aspire’s approach thus far.
And, as the game got underway, Football Dreams picked up where they had left off, combining well to dominate possession as they worked to try and unlock a stubborn Saudi defence. This was easier said than done, however, as Al Ahli had not conceded for 175 minutes of their time at Al Kass. The exception was a devastating five-minute spell against Real Madrid, during which Los Blancos had fired three superb goals that any defence would have struggled to prevent.
And, in Bakr Eissa, The Royals had arguably the tournament’s outstanding keeper, and he was certainly the busier of the two keepers during the opening half. Aspire were attempting to get skilful left winger Aboubakar Karamoko on the ball as much as possible, and he was a constant threat from the flanks as Football Dreams buzzed around their opponents, but continually encountered a brick wall as they attempted to apply the finishing touch to their skilful approach play.
Meanwhile, Al Ahli reprised the tactic that had served them so well previously, attempting to hit their opponents on the break by playing balls over the top for their speedy frontline to latch on to.
And, against the run of play, it was The Royals who first threatened to break the deadlock when, on 17 minutes, Ali Makki’s floated free kick from deep on the left was headed away by Aspire defender Salim Daiby, only for Feras Alghamdi to show astonishing technique by volleying the clearance goalwards from fully 25 yards out, his fabulous effort narrowly flashing over the bar with keeper Abdul Nurudeen beaten.
This was Al Ahli’s best chance of the first half, as Aspire created a succession of half-chances. However, the Saudi backline remained resolute, often frustrating their opponents before they could get a shot away, and Football Dreams had to wait until added time at the end of the first half to conjure a chance that seriously worried their opponents.
Some neat interplay from the Aspire youngsters culminated in Alhassane Soumah producing a delicious back-heel from the left of the area to set up Robert Kumadey. The marauding left back hammered his shot against the post, in what was the last meaningful action of the first period.
The second half got underway with Aspire continuing to push forward in search of a decisive opening, and they were soon knocking on the door. Captain Mohamed Nyanje was played in on through the inside right channel, but his shot from just inside the area flew wide of the right-hand post.

PENALTY DRAMA ENDS WITH MADRID TRIUMPH
In the other match of the day, Real Madrid prevailed 6-5 in a nervy penalty shootout to send unfortunate Kashiwa Reysol crashing out, after a pulsating match ended in a 0-0 stalemate in normal time.
It was the Japanese side who showed more attacking intent in the early stages. On six minutes they put the Real backline under pressure with two corners in quick succession, establishing a dominance that would retain throughout the first half.
Reysol striker Shunta Nakamura was proving a willing target man, and the midfield’s quick, incisive passing always had a chance of finding him. He did not lack support and, for the first time in the tournament, Real Madrid were on the back foot.
After the shootout ended in a 3-3 deadlock, sudden death ensued. The teams could still not be separated until Kenta Tsutsumi stepped up to take the 17th penalty of the shootout. His effort sailed agonisingly over, allowing Cudola to power home and leave Madrid jubilant and Reysol distraught.
It was a game that neither team had deserved to lose – the tie of the tournament according to some. But Madrid live to fight another day.