After beating Genk (2–1) and Real Madrid (1–0), we finished top of Group B at the Puskás-Suzuki Cup, setting up a final between our U17 side and Juventus. The Turin team had an impressive group stage, opening with a 4–1 win over Sporting before suffering a surprise 4–2 defeat to Panathinaikos. To reach the final they also needed the Greeks to drop points (they eventually drew with Sporting), while Juventus's 1–0 victory over PAFC was enough to secure first place in the group.
The supporters' section made up of academy players and ultras created a fantastic atmosphere in the Pancho Arena, worthy of a top-flight match.
In the first half the Italians were slightly closer to taking the lead. In the 3rd minute Lorenzo Cancila was left alone at the far post but shot over. Two minutes later Liziczay made a big save, after which neither side was able to create a major chance. The biggest opportunity of the half fell to Luca Bracco after a superb pass, but from six metres he shot wide of the right post with only Liziczay to beat.
In the 34th minute Liziczay looked to launch our counter-attack, but Borasioanticipated his opponent, then lifted the ball first-time over our goalkeeper and into the net (0-1). Two minutes later we were awarded a penalty, but Huli saved Nyers's attempt. In the 40th minute the Italians were also given a debatable penalty after a handball, and Amadioblasted it into the left side of the goal (0-2). In the 55th minute Erik Kovács shot after a superb solo run, but Huli pushed his effort away. The score did not change, so we finished the tournament in second place, ahead of teams including Real Madrid, Sporting and Genk. The several hundred supporters in attendance thanked the team for their outstanding performance over the tournament that had begun on Thursday by chanting “Well done, boys!” and singing the national anthem.
Final standings of the Puskás-Suzuki Cup:
1. Juventus
2. Budapest Honvéd FC
3. Slavia Praha
4. Panathinaikosz
5. Real Madrid
6. Sporting CP
7. KRC Genk
8. PAFC
PUSKÁS–SUZUKI CUP
FINAL
BUDAPEST HONVÉD FC–JUVENTUS FC 0–2 (0–0)
Felcsút, Pancho Arena. Referee: Rúsz
Honvéd: Liziczay – Kecskés (Kovács E. – at half-time), Horváth, Russnák, Milicz – Balázs, Schön (Miták, 57.), Ujváry (Meskó, 57.), Rankó – Tasi (Somogyi T. – at half-time), Kis (Nyers – at half-time). Head coach: Bogdánfi Márton
Substitutes: Czinki, Miták, Kovács, Somogyi, Meskó, Petrók, Kobela, Nyers, Joó.
Juventus: Huli – De Brul, Tiozzo Pagio (Samb, 51.), Badarau (Malfatti, 43.), Gielen (Gecaj, 60.) – Borasio – Repciuc, Barido, Cancila – Amadio (Sibona, 51.), Bracco (Ceppi, 43.). Head coach: Matteo Cioffi
Substitutes: Nava, Gecaj, Ceppi, Durmisi, Savonnier, Specker, Malfatti, Samb, Sibona.
Goals: Borasio (34.), Amadio (41. – penalty).
Match highlights:
