22 Jan 2026
Aspire Academy’s under-17 team made it two wins from two at the Alkass International Cup 2026 as they overcame Scottish side 2-1.
The other Group A encounter was goalless between Morocco’s Mohammed VI Football Academy and Etoile Du Sahel from Tunisia.
Those results mean Aspire Academy have the maximum six points and are guaranteed to finish top of the group ahead of their final match against Etoile Du Sahel, who have two points from their two draws.
Mohammed VI Football Academy also have two points and will face Rangers, who are on one point, in their third group game.
With Aspire Academy in control of the early stages of their game against Rangers, the task for the Scottish side got more difficult when they were reduced to 10 men in the 11th minute after VAR stepped in and upgraded a yellow card for a foul to a straight red for Ashton Scally.
The hosts made the most of their extra man to take the lead in the 27th minute through captain Faisal Bakhit Al-Hamad before Hadi Jad Khalil scored from the penalty spot in injury time at the end of the first half.
Rangers pulled one back in the 69th minute through Charlie Miller after Cody Mensing set him up.
The top two from each group will advance to the semi-finals, set for Monday, 26 January, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will compete in the play-offs for places 5 to 8.
The final and the third-place play-off are both set to take place on Thursday, 29 January.
The 11th edition of the tournament for under-17 players is being hosted at Aspire Academy and organised in collaboration with Alkass Sports Channels, Aspire Zone Foundation and the Qatar Football Association (QFA).