AZ under 20 is not world champion. The Alkmaar talents lost against the South American Boca Juniors. The score remained 1-1 after ninety minutes, after which penalties followed. These were taken better by the Argentinians (4-1). AZ ended in disappointment.
AZ reached the final of the Intercontinental Cup, the world cup for club teams, because it defeated Hadjuk Split by a large margin in the UEFA Youth League in May. Boca Juniors won the South American version. The Alkmaarders had a difficult time with the witch’s cauldron in La Bombenara with 37,000 spectators.
However, they took the lead against odds. A long shot by Dave Kwakman changed direction and ended up in the goal. AZ had a difficult time, but was 0-1 at half time.
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As could be expected, a very intense second half followed. Boca Juniors did everything they could to win. The first two chances via Ignacio Rodriguez (header past and at the keeper) went in. Through Enoch Mastoras, the Argentinians leveled with AZ: 1-1.
The tension remained enormous, even though no more goals were scored. Penalties had to be the deciding factor. Boca Juniors took it better and eventually won 4-1. Maxim Dekker and Kees Smit missed for the Alkmaarders, while Rome’s Jayden Owusu-Oduro was unable to save a penalty.
AZ O-20 line-up: Owusu-Oduro; Stam, Goes, Dekker, Mastoras (Van Aken/62); Twisk (Postma/17, Smit/46), Schouten, Kwakman; Addai (Koster/83), Meerdink, Poku