GAME 14 – BAYERN vs RAJA

Bayern Munich’s youngsters finally delivered a performance worthy of their

illustrious name, lighting up Aspire Zone with a 5-1 victory over a Raja Casablanca

team that left it too late to demonstrate their true potential.

Heading into the game, it was a case of what might have been for both sides. Raja

had suffered a narrow reverse to PSV in the opening match of the tournament, and

then fallen short to Aspire Academy the following day.

Bayern, meanwhile, were one of the pre-tournament favourites. They had narrowly

avoided snatching a last-gasp draw in their opener against Red Bull Salzburg, before

throwing everything they got at Kawhiwa Reysol’s backline in a doomed attempt to

overcome an inspired Japanese backline.

But on Wednesday night, the Germans instantly made it clear that they had put

previous disappointments behind them, as they took the lead after just 20 seconds.

Franck Evina was set free down the left wing, and his low cross found Progon Maloku

at the near post, who slotted home from close range.

Incredibly, Bayern doubled their lead just two minutes later, with Maloku again on

target, intercepting a back-pass and rounding the keeper before calmly picking his

spot to deliver a 2-0 advantage.

Shell-shocked following Munich’s early onslaught, Raja struggled to retain their

composure, and it was to their enormous credit that they managed to keep their

shape and repel a wave of attacks on goal. Still, it was one-way traffic for the rest of

the half as Bayern persistently worked to extend their lead.

And, on 25 minutes they succeeded, when Maloku sent in a high cross from the right

that Evina steered home with a pinpoint header into the top left corner. With the

game less than half an hour old, it was already clear that Raja had it all to do if they

were to avoid a drubbing.

But on 33 minutes the deficit increased to four goals. Bayern were awarded a free

kick to the left of the penalty area, and Maloku rose highest to connect with the

cross. Keeper Aymane Moubsir did well to keep the powerful header out, but he

could not hold onto the ball, and a goalmouth melee ended with Marcel Zylla firing

home. Bayern went in to the break four goals to the good and, in truth, the scoreline

did not flatter them.

The second half got underway and, almost immediately, Raja were enjoying a rare

foray into opposition territory. Indeed, they may even have got a goal back when

central defender Mohammed Naim rose highest to meet a corner, but his header

was smartly saved by the hitherto underemployed keeper Maurice Koenig.

However, 10 minutes later Koenig was at fault when he played the ball out to

midfielder Rainer Dalmeida, who was instantly closed down and robbed by the alert

Iliass Hallal. The Moroccan midfielder looked up and, seeing the keeper out of

position, took a pot shot that nestled in the left of the net.

Raja’s magnificent support had provided a highlight of the tournament thus far, with

their boisterous singing a memorable feature of their team’s first two matches. It

was perhaps an indicator of the one-sided nature of this game that the Moroccan

fans had been silenced from the first whistle. However, Casablanca’s goal bought a

reaction from the stands, with a reprise of the club anthems given a low-key airing.

Raja’s players responded, and feisty challenges began to fly in as Bayern were

belatedly made aware that they had a game on their hands. Suddenly, there was

little to separate the sides in terms of effort and tenacity, as Casablanca began to

play with greater cohesion.

But, despite the spirited efforts of the Raja faithful and their young players, normal

service was soon resumed as Bayern began to re-assert their previous dominance.

And, with 15 minutes remaining it was 5-1 after substitute midfielder Can Karatas

advanced into the area and played a neat one-two with Marin Pudic before firing

home from eight yards.

Despite the outcome now a foregone conclusion, the Moroccans continued to

compete admirably, ensuring that they emerged from the game with their pride

intact. In truth, there was little else to play for, as each side had cause to lament

earlier results. However, their professionalism could not be doubted as they played

this match with all the intensity of a cup final.