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Defender Zachary Van Der Straaten scored the only goal in the ninth minute as Arsenal U15s commenced their Premier League NEXTGEN Cup campaign with a 1-0 win against Shijiazhuang Kung Fu in their first group game in China.
Three U14 players started the game, with Luis Munoz, Mikael Bonaventure Yetna and Bubacarr Jallow all called upon. Forward Jaden Maghoma captained the team, again Max Lo Presti in goal.
Winger Kyron Raymond Callendar started brightly, with the highly rated Munoz then having an effort pushed away.
Arsenal took the lead as Van Der Straaten steered the ball into the net from close range following a corner.
Bonaventure Yetna and Munoz had further opportunities, but defender Frankie Wyatt had to be alert to make an important intervention at the other end.
Arsenal made a triple substitution ahead of the second half as recent signing Beau Luton came on along with Noah Laditan and Emmanuel Ahaneku.
Munoz, who glided past players to excellent effect at times, had an attempt saved before Leo Aliadiere and Onye Asiegbu entered the fray.
In the closing stages Maghoma and Bonaventure Yetna were both thwarted by opposing goalkeeper Liu, who has an excellent game.
Overall, it was an encouraging start to the tournament for Arsenal with lots of players gaining valuable experience.
Munoz started very brightly and showed why he has already featured at higher levels, while Bonaventure Yetna also gave a good account of themselves.
Arsenal are back in action tomorrow when they play Aston Villa, who beat the Beijing Men’s Football Selection Team today.
Arsenal: Lo Presti, Matthews, Sando, Van Der Straaten, Wyatt, Raymond-Callendar, Bonaventure Yetna, Maghoma, Munoz, Jallow, Twenboa Kudoa
Subs: Luton, Laditan, Emmanuel Ahaneku, Aliadiere, Asiegbu.
Not used: Van Djoy, Davison, Day King, Okafor.