The team Under-20 of Boca Juniors lost this afternoon on penalties (4-1) the AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands after drawing 1-1 in regulation time, and won the second edition of Intercontinental Cup of the category, in a match played at ‘La Bombonera’, in Buenos Aires.
In this match that pitted the winners of the U-20 Copa Libertadores and the U-19 European Champions Cup, the Argentine team achieved this title which, in the first version of this trophy, was crowned by Benfica of Portugal, after Uruguay’s Peñarol lost 1-0 at the Centenario stadium in Montevideo.
Dutchman Dave Kwakman opened the account for the visitors in the 42nd minute and Enoch Mastoras, with an own goal, sealed the final tie that led to a penalty shootout that ended with the crown for the host team.
The match was high tension with the intensity typical of a final that in the first half the local team was the star with Ignacio Rodríguez the designated area with Simón Rivero and Jabes Saralegui as offensive partners.
On the visiting side, the bet is with Ernest Poku and Jayden Addai as wingers to supply the team’s great scorer: Mexx Meerdink, who has few chances in front of the Argentina team’s goal.
In the first half, Boca had two clear options: a header from Benítez that went close to Owusu-Oduro’s left post in the 30th minute and another from Ignacio Rodríguez in the 37th that also went close to the far post.
For AZ Alkmaar, Poku and Addai’s overflows were not deep, but in the 42nd minute Dave Kwakman received a pinpoint pass from Wouter Goes to take a corner shot that made the Díaz Robles’ save attempt to give the Dutch the lead.
Tension as the minutes pass
In the second half Boca came out determined to find an equalizer but Rome Owusu-Oduro was solvent from the top, while Goes and Dekker managed to stop the local forwards.
A header from Rodríguez in the 56th minute and another left-footed shot saved by Owusu-Oduro in the following minute set up the tie in the 58th minute with a cross from Mauricio Benítez finding the head of Enoch Mastoras already, in his attempt After clearing the ball, he put it in his goal.
From that moment, it was all tense and although Boca looked for the most determined victory, AZ Alkmaar’s counter-attacks were also dangerous. Time ran out and Bolivian Gery Vargas’ final whistle led to a penalty shootout.
Boca, more effective from eleven meters
From the penalty spot Boca were completely effective with goals from Nahuel Genez, Lautaro Di Lollo, Natan Acosta and Valentin Frascendini, while in AZ Alkmaar only Wouter Goes scored and goalkeeper Sebastián Díaz Robles stopped to Maxim Dekker and Kees Smit.
In this way, Boca was crowned champion of this Under 20 Intercontinental Cup – a tournament disputed by the agreement of Conmebol and UEFA – for the first time in its history to the frenzy of the public that filled the ‘Bombonera’ to celebrate the victory of their will be a player. promises under the watch of Juan Román Riquelme, the greatest idol of the institution and current vice president.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
