(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the final of the Al Kass Cup under-17
football tournament after overcoming a stern examination set by
Esperance de Tunis, and prevailing by 4-2.
Going into this game PSG knew that — at the very least — they would need
to do something that no opponent of Esperance had managed up to now:
score a goal against the wily Tunisians, the only team yet to concede in
the tournament.
But on 15 minutes, Saint-Germain went in front after a corner from the
right was not dealt with and, in the ensuing melee, captain Loic Mbe Soh
turned the ball in from close range.
Astonishingly, the lead was doubled within a minute, after a rapid move
down the PSG left. Tunis keeper Fares Jebali was quickly off his line to
snuff out the danger, but the ball escaped his grasp and was cleared
directly into the path of the onrushing Arthur Zagre, who needed no
second invitation to rifle home. And, on 28 minutes, Esperance were
three down. PSG's Tanguy Coulibaly supplied a low, teasing cross that
forward Alexandre Fressange met with a first time shot into the near
corner.
Tunis looked dead and buried, only to be handed an improbable lifeline
five minutes later. PSG keeper Yanis Saidani received a backpass under
no pressure, but his attempted clearance was cut out by Zied Berrima on
the right of the area. He squared for captain Mobtassar Triki to pass
into an open goal, sparking scenes of delirium on the terraces.
It was now PSG's turn to feel the pressure as Espérance mounted a series
of attacks. The Tunisians' physical approach occasionally strayed
beyond fair play and, on 41 minutes, midfield hardman Wael Dhouibi's
wild lunge at Soh earned a well-deserved yellow card, marking the final
significant act of a breathtaking first half.
There was no let up as the second period got underway, and PSG
re-established their three-goal cushion with the first attack of the
half.
Adil Aouchiche set off an a marauding run from his own half, dancing
past several challenges and spraying the ball out left to Ruben
Providence, before advancing into the area and getting on the end of a
low cross to finish from six yards out. It was a goal worthy of the
grandest stages. With the game approaching the hour mark, the shadows
lengthened on Aspire Pitch 5 as the sun began to set behind the main
stand. And, with it, Esperance's hopes of making the final began to
recede. PSG were now in total command, refusing to be put out of their
stride by the continual chanting and singing of the Tunis fans, who
remained in high spirits despite their team's travails.
And then, implausibly, Tunis were once again back in the game on 68
minutes. There seemed to be little danger as PSG centre back Soh
attempted to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick on the right, until
his pocket was picked by the tenacious Farouk Mimouni, who cut back from
the byline before firing low into the far corner.
Tunis poured forward in numbers in search of a third goal that would set
up a nailbiting finale, but there was to be no further reward for their
persistence, as PSG held out for a merited victory.
Having won the inaugural tournament in 2012, and again triumphed in
2015, the young Parisians are chasing a unique hat-trick. After this
accomplished performance, few would rule out their chances.
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