Five Nigerian Prospects Feature As Arsenal Lose Dallas Cup Showpiece Game

Arsenal U19s were beaten 1-0 by Mexican side Tigres in the final of the 2018 Gordon Jago Dallas Cup U19 Super Group on Sunday night, with five players of Nigerian descent in action for the London team at the Toyota Stadium.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, Folarin Balogun, James Olayinka and Joseph Olowu started for the Gunners, while one of the heroes of their semifinal triumph Bukayo Saka came off the bench in the second half.

Tigres made their intentions clear from the blast of the whistle as they were smarter on the ball though the English opponents were more physical.

They went into the break a goal up thanks to midfielder Jesús Garza's 25th minute strike.

Arsenal pushed forward in search of an equalizer in the second half, and nearly found it when McGuinness hit the post, before Saka saw his effort saved by goalkeeper Sebastian Ulloa.

Tigres were also crowned the inaugural champion of the Univision Deportes Super 14s division after beating Real Oviedo 2-1 in the final.

Arsenal beat Manchester United in the semifinal with Bukayo Saka notching a brace for the Gunners.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : dallascup.com