Puskás Akadémia U19s 3 (5) v Aberdeen U19s 0 (1) Agg: 8-1
UEFA Youth League – Domestic Champions Path Round Two – 2nd leg
Pancho Aréna
Wednesday 6th November
Aberdeen showed in flashes they were more than a match on the European stage but were ultimately outclassed by Hungarian outfit Puskás Akadémia who ran out 3-0 winners in the 2nd Leg of the UEFA Youth League as the young Dons exited the competition in Felcsút.
Already facing an uphill battle following the first leg at Pittodrie, Scott Anderson made two changes to the Dons side that was defeated in Scotland, Dylan Ross and Noah McDonnell coming into the starting XI, Ellis Clark dropping to the bench and full-back Brendan Hamilton missing out all together after moving to Inverurie Locos on loan last week.
The home side named an unchanged starting line-up and bench for the 2nd leg in Hungary, with dangerman Kevin Mondovics who scored a hat-trick at Pittodrie in the hosts XI.
It was the home side who threatened first in the opening stages, Viktor Vitalyos powering a header inches wide from a Puskas corner. However, it was the Dons who almost opened the scoring moments later, Fletcher Boyd’s half volley from the edge of the area crashing back off the bar.
Despite an even opening period, it was the home side who took the lead just beyond the midway point of the opening 45. A well worked move from the home side saw Bence Vekony released down the left, his cut back found Mondovics whose powerful effort was well saved by Rodrigo Vitols in the Dons goal. The rebound however, fell to Artem Tyshchuk who had the simple task of rolling the ball into the net from close range.
The Dons were not deterred by the setback and looked to draw level in Hungary. Stewart picked out Boyd with a clever reverse pass, but no one was on the end of the Portsoy youngster’s teasing low cross. Moments later Fraser Mackie got on the end of a clever cross from Cammy Wilson, Bendeguz Lehoczki saving well low to his right to deny the Dons forward.
Aberdeen were forced into a change with under 10 minutes remaining of the 1st half, Noah McDonnell forced off after feeling the effects of an earlier collision, midfielder Zak To coming on to replace the Northern Irishman. Cooper Masson dropped into the defensive line, with To playing just off of Mackie in attack.
The final chance of the half for The Dons fell to the impressive Victor Enem but he slashed a shot from the edge of the area well wide of goal. Bence Vekony then fired a free-kick over the bar from 25 yards after Dylan Ross had been booked for stopping a Puskas attack.
Half-Time: Puskas Akadémia 1-0 Aberdeen
At the start of the second half, Boyd was penalised for a foul on the edge of the area for halting a dangerous attack for the home side. Miskolczi stepped up and bent a 25 yard free-kick beyond the reach of Vitols to double Puskás’s lead.
The home side should have extended their lead on the 70 minute mark, Miskolczi missing a golden chance with a header from close range but he nodded wide from six yards. Moments later, Erik Magyarics beat the offside trap to race through on goal, but Vitols spread himself big to deny the substitute.
Joseph Teasdale and Ellis Clark were both introduced to the action to try and add some freshness to the Dons, replacing Mackie and Wilson.
The Dons had the woodwork to thank as the game ticked into the final quarter, Miskolczi again missed a big chance with a close-range header, this time his effort coming back off of the base of the post. Ross was then sent free down the left-hand side for the young Dons, as he charged in on goal, he tried to pick out Teasdale who was a split second behind his full back and Puskas were able to extinguish any flames that were left to the attack.
Puskas made it three nil in the closing stages with a fortunate finish. Mondovics fed Magyarics whose effort on goal deflected off of Akindileni and the ball looped over Vitols. A cruel way for the game to end for The Dons who were backed by a handful of noisy members of the Red Army.
We wish Puskás Akadémia all the best for the rest of the campaign and thank them for their warm hospitality throughout our stay in Hungary.
Match Info:
Puskás Akadémia: 72.Lehoczki (Bozo 62’), 4. Pal, 5. Vitalyos (Szojma 76’), 7. Mondovics, 9. Dymitriev (Varga 46’), 10. Vekony, 15. Asvanyi (Magyarcics 68’), 18. Miskolczi, 21. Tyshchuk Antal 62’), 26. Umathum (C), 55. Orjan
Unused Subs: 23. Osadchyi, 99. Zahoran
Goals: Tyshchuk 25′, Miskolczi 53′, Magyarics 87′
Bookings: Vitalyos 58’, Antal 76’
Aberdeen: 1. Vitols, 2. Enem (Searle 88’), 4. Carrol, 5. Akindileni, 6. Masson, 7. Wilson (Clark 75’), 8. Stewart (c), 9. Mackie (Teasdale 75’), 10. Boyd (Green 88’), 11. Ross, 29. McDonnell (To 37’)
Unused Subs: 19. Mercer, 20. Simpson (GK), 21. Stephen, 30. Douglas (GK)
Bookings: Ross 45+1’, Boyd 52’, Masson 70’
