08 Feb 2015
Doha, 8 February 2015. Arsenal put in a highly professional performance to defeat Aspire Academy 3-0 on Sunday evening. Going into the game, hopes were high for Aspire after they had recorded the biggest victory of the group stages, a 6-1 mauling of Vissel Kobe. Although Arsenal had only beaten the Japanese by the odd goal in five, it was obvious that the Gunners would provide the Qataris with a far sterner test than they had encountered in their opener, and so it proved.
The London side dominated the early proceedings and almost went ahead within two minutes, when captain Kaylen Hinds latched on to a left-sided corner and flicked a back-heeled volley narrowly over. It proved a temporary reprieve for the Qataris as Arsenal took the lead after five minutes. Stephy Mavididi, a hat-trick hero against Kobe, continued his hot streak by turning his man and firing hard and low into the right corner from 12 yards out.
Goals from Donovan (14') and Willock (25') already sealed the deal for the 'Gunners' in the first half. The vocal home crowd cheered upped the volume as the second half began, and their support seemed to have an instant impact as Aspire almost reduced the deficit. However, the defense of Arsenal remained unbeatable that night and after 90 minutes the English side could not only celebrate a 3-0 win, but also finishing on top of Group A.
"Our coach warned us not to take the game too easy after the high win against Vissel Kobe and qualifying for the quarter-finals, but especially at the beginning of the game we were too confident and so we paid the price. I think this game really taught us a lesson and the people are going to see a different face of us in the quarter-final," promised Aspire Academy-player Mohamad Abdulnaser Alabbasi. Find out more about the 'Al Kass International Cup' onhttp://internationalcup.alkass.net.