By Sports Reporter/Doha

Arsenal deservedly triumphed 1-0 in a performance of great discipline to book their place in the semi-finals against a River Plate side who found defeat difficult to stomach.
On Qatar’s National Sport Day, thousands of locals had flocked to Aspire Zone to revel in a variety of sporting activities, with the emphasis on taking part regardless of ability. But on Pitch 5 it was all about winning – and there was an abundance of ability on show throughout both line-ups.
Franco Lopez, the outstanding performer of the tournament thus far, began on the left wing for River Plate, with the impressive Christopher Willock also taking up his usual wide left position for Arsenal. Both had early runs at the opposition as each side signalled their attacking intentions.
Arsenal had deployed a 4-4-2 formation, with captain Kaylen Hinds and in-form Stephy Mavididi leading the line. The talented attackers worked hard to close down space, making it difficult for River Plate to play out from the back. Meanwhile, Argentinean right back Kevin Sibille had his hands full as he sought to contain the strong running of the dangerous Willock.
At the other end, it was clear that Arsenal right back Jonatas Centeno would need to be performing at the top of his game to nullify the threat of Lopez, and he stuck to the Argentine winger like glue in the early stages.
On 17 minutes, Mavididi turned smartly on the edge of the area to play right-winger Marcus Tabi in, but a superb sliding challenge from Jose Vivanco denied him a goalscoring opportunity. Two minutes later River Plate worked their first attempt on goal, with Arsenal keeper Hugo Keto saving Enzo Zacarelli’s long-range effort comfortably.
Arsenal should have been ahead soon after, when Willock found Mavididi free inside the area, but the number 9 headed wide when he looked certain to score.
Mavididi’s powerful running from deep positions was beginning to test the Argentineans, who adopted an increasingly physical approach to counter the threat, piling into challenges on their physically imposing opponents.
The game descended into a stop-start affair as the half ended, with a series of niggly fouls from River Plate disrupting the game’s flow.
The second half settled into a similar pattern, with River Plate indulging in gamesmanship at every turn to knock Arsenal out of their stride. The Gunners stuck to their task, with Harry Donovan immense in midfield in denying the Argentineans space, with star player Lopez completely anonymous.
On the hour-mark Hinds created a great chance with a run down the left before cutting inside, but he left it late to get his shot away, his curled effort drifting high and wide of the far post. With River Plate beginning to show signs of tiredness, Arsenal began to dominate.
And, on 64 minutes, Hinds headed them in front after rising highest to meet substitute Reiss Nelson’s corner from the left, planting the ball into the top right corner.
It was no more than Arsenal deserved for their positive approach, having refused to react to continual provocation from the Argentineans. Captain Pablo Olivo was yellow carded for a late challenge on Hinds soon after, and River Plate could count themselves lucky to still have 11 men on the pitch.
Undeterred, Arsenal pressed for a second and almost succeeded when substitute Pelenda Dasilva sprayed a delicious 40-yard diagonal ball to Nelson on the right, but his effort was parried clear by keeper Tomas Soleto.
River Plate almost did the job for Arsenal soon after when Jose Vivanco’s misdirected header nearly flew into his own net, with Soleto doing well to save his blushes.
With time running out the Argentines began to turn up the heat, but Arsenal were largely untroubled as they restricted their opponents to the occasional effort from distance.
As the game moved into added time River Plate conjured their best chance of the game, with substitute Gianluca Simeone forcing a smart save from the previously unemployed Keto in goal.
On the final whistle the Argentineans sparked disgraceful scenes as, for the first time all day, they well and truly went on the attack, punching and kicking the victorious Arsenal side who remained admirably restrained. After a performance of great discipline, the Gunners emerged from this tough test with their reputation enhanced. The same could not be said of River Plate.