DurbanU19 : ARSENAL FC AND SPORTING LISBON THROUGH TO THE SEMIS
Arsenal Football Club has advance to the Semi Final stages of the Durban Under 19 International Football Tournament, this after beating Golden Arrows by 1-0 at King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi yesterday, 01 August 2016.
Arrows arrived for this encounter very confident as they were leading the Group A log table with 4 points and Arsenal were sitting at position 3 with 3 points. A game that started with a very slow pace changed tempo in the 20th minute after Nelson dribbled his way through the Golden Arrows defense to put Arsenal in the lead. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Arsenal FC.
In the 50th minute of the games second half, with the aim of securing an equalizer, Arrows introduced Kunene as a replacement for Goldstone and Arsenal continued to apply pressure on Arrows. Da Silva had an opportunity for a free header inside the box but failed to make it count. Upon noticing that Arrows were coming hard at them in the 70th minute, Arsenal made a double substitution introducing Malen who came in Gragomir’s place and Mourgos who subsequently replaced Da Silva.
The current leading goal scorer for Arsenal, Mavididi was pulled out of the match in the 79th minute and was replaced by Nketiah. Golden Arrows then quickly introduced Fyn as a De Beer substitute.
In the 80th minute, Golden Arrows Captain Mkhululi Ncube secured a breathtaking equalizer for Abafana Besithende bringing the score to 1- 1, however, the celebration was short-lived as Mourgos secured the second goal for Arsenal in the 85th minute. The match ended on a 2-1score line in favor of Arsenal and saw the Gunners advance to the semi-finals.
The fight to join Arsenal in the semis continued in the second encounter of Group A where KZN Academy took on Sporting Lisbon. The boys from Portugal secured an early goal in the 15th minute of the first half courtesy of Franco. KZN Academy also in the 15th minute made an early change, swapping Dlamini with Mbele.
Late in the first half KZN Academy bounced back with a beautiful goal from Daylan Stoffell. This was after a magnificent move by Zola Jingxi which resulted in the first half ending at a 1 all draw.
Sporting Lisbon upon commencement of the match, in the second half, continued to apply pressure on KZN Academy. That pressure application paid off as they secured an a second goal in the 48th minute. Sboniso Vilakazi’s boys responded speedily with asset piece goal by Ujuan’ McDonald bringing the score to 2-2. The goal changed the tempo of the game when both teams started playing attacking football. At the 76th minute Sporting Lisbon secured a third goal bring the score to 3-2. Not to be left behind, KZN Academy netted a goal in the 82nd minute to even out the score board at 3 all, however, it wasn’t to be for the host side as the game ended with a 5-4 score in favour of Sporting Lisbon. The Portuguese sides win will see them progress to the semis joining the Gunners at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday, 03 August 2016
GROUP A SCORES
Golden Arrows 1-2 Arsenal (Man of the Match Reiss Nelson)
KZN Academy XI 2 – 3 Sporting Lisbon (Man of the Match Daniele Braganca)
Match Day 6 Fixtures – 02 August 2016 – Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium
14h15 TP Mazembe vs. Rangers FC
16h30 National U19 vs. Fluminense
Leading Goal scorers
No Player Name Club Goals
17 K Mayo SA U 19 5
9 S Mavididi Arsenal 2
10 P Pedro Fluminense 2
17 C de Oliveira Fliminense 2
Log Standing
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Arsenal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Sporting Lisbon | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Golden Arrows | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| KZN Academy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 3 |