AZ Alkmaar claimed their first European trophy at any level after they turned on the style for a 5-0 victory against Hajduk Split in the UEFA Youth League final in Geneva.
According to Poku, the Dutch side were never tipped to clinch the ultimate from the beginning of the competition.
“I don’t know if many people expected this [at the beginning of the tournament]. They called us underdogs. But we’ll fight to the bitter end for each other, and this is the result. This evening, it felt like we had the wind at our backs. Everything worked out,’’ said the Dutch-born Ghanaian.
“I don’t know how we’re going to celebrate this evening. I really don’t. But I do know we’ll be taking the trophy back to our stadium when we return to the Netherlands. I’m just so happy. We all are.” He added.
Hajduk, making history for Croatia, were roared on by a huge following of close to 10,000 that had necessitated the switch to Stade de Genève from the competition’s usual final venue in nearby Nyon. But Jayden Addai broke the deadlock from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time before doubles from the magnificent Ernest Poku and substitute Mexx Meerdink gave AZ a deserved triumph.
Addai, who scored the winning penalty for AZ against Sporting CP in the semi-final shoot-out on Friday, had a chance in the second minute, forcing Borna Buljan to save. The Hajduk goalkeeper also did well to tip over Poku’s effort before diving to deny Addai after the resulting corner.
AZ continued to attack but repeatedly found Buljan in the way until they won a penalty just before half-time, when Poku was brought down by Luka Vušković. Addai proved reliable from the spot again, his low kick just beating the dive of Buljan.
After half-time, AZ brought on Meerdink, who scored the winning penalty for the seniors in their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final with Anderlecht on Thursday and also played in Sunday’s Eredivisie defeat of RKC Waawijk before flying to Geneva. His introduction helped AZ keep up their momentum.
Mate Antunović very nearly levelled just after the hour mark, his strong effort tipped over the bar by Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro. But in the 70th minute, Poku got the goal his performance merited as he cut in from the left and sent a shot from outside the box around the grasp of the Hajduk keeper.
Six minutes later, Poku was on target again after a swift one-two with Meerdink and a searing angled finish. Soon after, Meerdink had a goal of his own following a jinking solo run and calm strike. Meerdink completed the scoring eight minutes later as he ran on to a Kess Smit pass and made no mistake, adding the honour of season joint-top scorer to his winner’s medal.
