Last elimination for Dortmund - Bayer boys shed bitter tears
Bayer Leverkusen's U17 team missed out on winning their first championship title since 2016, as they lost 2:3 after extra time to Borussia Dortmund in front of 2443 spectators in Oberhausen during a thrilling final.
Dortmund's winning goal was scored by substitute Jan Luca Riedl in the 121st minute with a header off a corner kick. Simone Rolfes and Fernando Carro, Bayer's coaches, attempted to comfort the weeping Leverkusen players.
The Leverkusen youngsters already thought they had achieved their goal: Jeremiah Mensah scored in the 91st minute to make it 2:1 for Bayer. There were also two potential game-deciding chances missed.
BVB, however, avenged themselves by forcing extra time with a very questionable foul in the 7th minute of added time - Diego Ngambia Dzonga converted confidently.
Just five minutes into the game, Kerim-Sam Alajbegovic had put Bayer ahead with an impressive shot. Bayer had multiple opportunities to score three goals before halftime, but the referee, Luca Schultze, denied Leverkusen a clear penalty.
BVB returned from the break much more determined and earned a well-deserved equalizer through Thierry Fidjeu-Tazermeta (51'). The game then became incredibly dramatic.
In the end, both teams were moments away from reaching the season's pinnacle. Dortmund coach Marco Lehmann and his team celebrated their eighth U17 title, while Leverkusen's coach, Sergi Runge, who experienced a near-perfect season, could only mourn their second-place finish. Leverkusen's sports boss Rolfes said, "It's unfortunate, especially given that were close to winning right before the end. In extra time, both teams nullified each other, and Dortmund had the upper hand." Rolfes added, "This team had a fantastic season. While it's a disappointment now, we must all find the motivation to succeed next year."
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Source: symclub.org
