The talents of AZ have again caused a huge stunt in the Youth League. The team of trainer Jan Sierksma has also eliminated Real Madrid after FC Barcelona, making the semi-finals of the prestigious youth tournament a fact. In Wijdewormer it became 4-0.
More than two weeks ago, AZ O18 already caused a major stunt on a visit to FC Barcelona, by winning 0-3 in a spectacular way. As a result, a beautiful poster against Real Madrid was waiting for the Alkmaar talents. Trainer Sierksma was able to add a number of established names to his selection for the meeting with De Koninklijke: players such as Ernest Poku, Fedde de Jong and Mexx Meerdink were all on the field.
The intentions of the home team were clear from the first minute: Real Madrid were allowed to make the game, while AZ looked for opportunities on the counter. After 25 minutes of play, the many fans present could go crazy. AZ defender Daniël Beukers seemed unable to hit the ball from a corner, but due to an error by goalkeeper Diego Piñeiro, Beukers fumbled the ball into the goal: 1-0.
𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲̈𝗹 𝗕𝗲𝘂𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 🤩🤩
Fumbling from the Real Madrid goalkeeper and the right-back takes full advantage of the 1-0 lead 💪#ZiggoSport #UYL #azrea pic.twitter.com/EBk1p3VZRK— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 15, 2023
AZ U18 was then the most dangerous party, despite Real still making the game. Less than five minutes later, the Alkmaarders were able to double the score: with a great sprint, Poku showed everyone his heels, after which he also finished convincingly. AZ was therefore on roses. The North Hollanders even had some chances for a third goal before the break, but it did not fall.
𝑾𝑶𝑶𝑾 what a speed 😱
And then finish like this! 2-0 for AZ within half an hour, thanks to Ernest Poku 👏#ZiggoSport #UYL #azrea pic.twitter.com/MbCh3GqB6J— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 15, 2023
After the break, Real Madrid came out of the dressing room sharply, pushing AZ back more and more. The Spaniards had some good opportunities. AZ keeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro and his defense therefore had to act several times, with success: Real Madrid was unable to score the tying goal.
In the last fifteen minutes, AZ even more than completed the party. First Meerdink, who was not even comfortable in the game, made sure that the 3-0 came on the scoreboard. After that, the Real defense was completely open, so that Beukers signed with a convincing run for his second of the afternoon. He determined the final score at 4-0.
It’s going to be 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗶𝗲𝗿 🤤
Daniel Beukers with his wonderful second goal and the fourth for AZ 🤯#ZiggoSport #UYL #azrea pic.twitter.com/kqFKg9LTwD— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) March 15, 2023
Due to the next big stunt, AZ U18 can report to Nyon, Switzerland, where the semi-finals and final of the Youth League will be played. The talents of Sporting Portugal are now the opponent. That team crushed Ajax U18 in the Youth League by winning 5-1. The semi-finals are scheduled for April 21.
