Arsenal sealed their place in the semi-finals of the Dallas Cup after beating Chorrillo FC 6-0 this evening. Penalties either side of half time from Conor Henderson and Luke Freeman set the Gunners on their way, before Josh Rees, a second from Freeman, an Oguzhan Özyakup penalty, and a Zak Ansah strike sealed the result.
Steve Bould rotated his side from the 5-1 win over The Dallas Texans earlier in the day, making four changes, including between the sticks, with Sean McDermott replacing Emi Martinez.
ARSENAL: McDermott; Hajrovic, Boateng, Angha, Brislen-Hall; Özyakup, Ebecilio; Deacon, Henderson, Rees; Freeman.
Arsenal began with a swagger but struggled to break down their Panamanian opponents, as their solid defensive approach paid dividends in the opening moments.
The Gunners did eventually find a way through though, but after Henderson found Freeman in the box, a smart header on the line denied the opening goal. It proved to be a common theme, as minutes later Chorrillo had an effort cleared off the line, after a flap by McDermott. However, a foul was called in the build up.
Chorrillo then had a selection of chances for themselves as the half wore on, but solid defending from Angha, plus the excellent reflexes of McDermott kept the scores level. Arsenal continued to push on, and with the half time whistle approaching, they found a lucky break through. Rees was clipped down in the box, and Henderson converted a soft looking spot kick for 1-0.
Özyakup could have made it 2-0 with the final kick of the half, but his stunning volley smacked the bar and was cleared.
The half time interval gave Chorrillo renewed impetus, but just as they began to get a foot hold, Arsenal got another penalty for what looked like a harsh call for a hand ball. Freeman stepped up, and although he slipped, the ball hit the back of the net. 2-0.
Arsenal continued to push for another, and sealed the result when Deacon’s left wing cross was thumped in by Rees in the box. 3-0, but they weren’t finished yet. Ansah came off the bench and he was involved a move with saw Freeman cut in from the left and lash home a fourth from the edge of the box. 4-0.
A flood of changes then slowed the tempo down, before two combined for a fifth. Boateng’s ball out from the back fed Ansah in the box, he turned away from goal but was pushed to the floor. A third Arsenal penalty, converted this time by Özyakup. 5-0.
A late red card for an elbow on Özyakup summed up what had been a horrible game for Chorrillo FC. But Arsenal were not finished yet. After two brilliant saves from McDermott, they broke, and a sublime finish over the ‘keeper from Ansah made it 6-0.
The win sees Arsenal march on into the knock out phase, safe in the knowledge they can rest players for their final group game against Club Bolivar on Wednesday.
Great result. Freeman was class today.
Ozzy and Henderson bossed that game, McDermott made some excllent saves aswell. Hopefully it should get tougher when we play the likes of Barca, Corinthians and Japan in next rounds.
We will only face the likes of Barca or Japan in the final if/when we get there. At the moment it looks like we’ll be playing Tigres (Mexico) as they top group D with 6 points, Corithians second in the group on 3 but they are to play each other next and Corinthians need a big win to go top of goal difference.
It is a real shame the tournament is not televised or streamed properly anywhere, would love to have been able to watch the games..
Sorry my mistake looks like we’ll be playing the winner of Group D which is Frankfurt or Coritiba.. curently both on 6 points and yet to play each other on wednesday
Subs: Ansah for Deacon, Wynter for Hajrovic, Monakana for Rees, Bihmoutine for Brisnall, Edge for Ebecilio and Smith for Angha
Nice to the see the young guns progress to the next stage. any idea who we will face?
I believe it would be E Frankfurt(German club)
cheers!
Jamie very speedy blog! Thanks for the details … the stream I had was very jumpy! So didn’t really get to see the play in any real sense. Please Tweet if you get any links to a highlight package etc
Good win for the Gunners but after watching the game, the standard of goalkeeping for Chorrillo was so poor. I didn’t manage to see any of the first but maybe this is an issue throughout north american sides?
How close is freeman to the first team?
Wow if we had that ref we would have won the league by now. Anyway 6-0 no matter what the opposition is a very good result.
Stefan don’t know how close Freeman is to the first team but like Brendan said he was probaly the stand out alongside Ozyakup who also played well.
Stupidly quick post. Dedication as always Jamie!
Good result – confidence should be flowing for the tougher games to come. Banfield/Bould have got a nice problem over deciding who should make the next first XI now. Good Luck boys!
Arsenal are not through to the knock out round. FC Chorilo haven’t played their second game yet. If they win that they have two wins and so does the Arse, with the third game to be played between them. I mean Clube Bolivar (I can’t backspace in this comments program.)
Club Bolivar have to beat us 11-0 to finish top of the group.. looks like we’ll be playing Tigres of Mexico in the semi final.. only the top teams in the group go through so after wednesdays final round of games it is straight into the semi finals. we can only play Barca or Japan in the final as winners of group A (Arsenal) play winners of group D (Frankfurt or Coritiba)
Yes, but the opponent was lousy and it was very much a low speed game, no need to really fight for it at all, like walking a park, don’t think we benefit anything from this kind of game, hope there will be tougher games coming up!
Yeah, Jamie Arsenal arent through yet Club Bolivar still have to play as they won there last game as well, if they win that then the match between us and them on wednesday is a winners progress affair, so there is still a little way to go yet.
Good win keep it up, i think freeman is good in scoring goal so friends do you think when he goes on loan and gain first team experience he can make it at arsenal ?
Any highlights package for the match????
Thanks for the updates and effort
Club Bolivar lost to Dallas side Arsenal beat on Sunday so they are through.
Gusy can anyone say why Jack Jebb or Chucks Aneke werent in the squad. And is there any news on Gnarby the guy we were meant to have signed from Stuttgart?
Aneke’s injuried, Jebb is 15 years old and this tournament is for 19 years old or under, we got 19, 18 and most of them are 17 years old in squad, only Ansah is still 16 but next month 17, Jebb’s in squad for Ferroli Cup, Gnabry’s coming in summer like Toral and Siemann after season’s over
To be honest this seems like a pointless excercise at the moment……the oppo are rubbish and no competition for Arsenal at the moment, wouldnt it be more beneficial to send the likes of ozzy, Freeman, Deacon and henderson out on loan rather than playing against a bunch of half wits who are never going to make it in football at the highest level, granted the oppo may improve as wee progress but whos to say they will have there best players? they may have done what we should off done and sent people on the fringes of the reserves and a handful of youth players.
Thanks Stapleton
Foxy10 i think with the idea of this new u18 champions league its good for the youngesters to learn how to play opposition with different methods to the physical english sides.
Yeah thats not a bad idea but this tournament at the moment is no good at all its a waste of time for some players and not beneficial to them in the slightest, the only benefit they are getting from it is the Air Miles they will earn from this (at present) pointless excercise
Anyone on major youth tourney band wagons only needs to look at the recent south america u17 tourney to see what it is bad. A few have already been scooped up and about 15 other players are in the rumor mill. While we give the players a chance that we sign, the majority of the big money clubs just snag up every talented young player they can even though they will never give these kids a chance. I wish they got rid of all major youth tourneys. Love to watch them but it ruins the overall competition that is world football plus ruins tons of talented kids as well.
The quality of opponent will jump significantly in the semifinal, it is when the real tournament starts for the Super Group. Frankfurt have yet to concede, and Tigres have supposedly brought a strong side as well. Also note that Barcelona will likely not make the semifinal, having lost 3-1 to FC Dallas in their opening game.
I saw the Barca game and they was not impressive against japan. I was not happy to see how average they were.
I expected more quality during this tournament for the super group but lets see what will happen in the semi and final.