Oboavwoduo's hat-trick helps City down Sparta Prague in Youth League clash

Manchester City F.C.

·23 octobre 2024

Oboavwoduo's hat-trick helps City down Sparta Prague in Youth League clash

Justin Oboavwoduo's fantastic hat-trick saw City's Under-19s beat Sparta Prague 3-0 in a tough UEFA Youth League affair.

The forward gave City an early lead as Ben Wilkinson’s side looked to continue our positive run of form in the competition after our 4-0 triumph at Slovan Bratislava.

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And the City striker doubled our lead 10 minutes before the break after a brilliant solo run by Ryan McAidoo.

And his fantastic performance was topped off with a late third in the second half to confirm a second successive win and clean sheet for City in the competition’s League Phase.

WHAT HAPPENED

An October chill filled the Joie Stadium on Wednesday afternoon as our guests Sparta Prague got the game under way.

And they attacked instantly. Quick play down their left-hand side left Lakyle Samuel trailing the play but Oliver Whatmuff’s strong right hand was there to deny Sparta Prague’s Daniel Rus inside the opening minute.

City were then able to pick up possession and Wilkinson’s side looked to calm any potential nerves. City sized up our opponents and it was clear Sparta’s game plan was to be compact and organised, meaning any progression up the pitch by the young boys in blue had to be perfect.

And it was just that when Jacob Wright played the ball over the opposition’s defensive line and into the path of a lightning-quick Farid Alfa-Ruprecht.

The winger drove to goal but was denied by the slightest touch of ‘keeper Sebastian Zajac’s outstretched hand at the near post on four minutes.

An unfortunate injury to Dennis Krpalek saw him replaced in the eighth minute but the pause in play did not hinder City’s focus.

From the restart, Alfa-Ruprecht was played in behind by Samuel. The former beat left-back Jan Liska to the ball and produced an inviting cross which was met by the acrobatic, outstretched foot of Oboavwoduo who nudged City ahead on the nine-minute mark.

The game developed into a game of chess with high defensive lines from both teams. It meant the game was played in and around the centre circle for a large part of the opening 45 minutes.

But City would have a small number of chances to extend our lead.

Stephen Mfuni’s ranged shot flew high over the bar on the half-hour mark. It followed a chance for Oboavwoduo who scuffed the cross from Alfa-Ruprecht.

But Oboavwoduo would finally find his second in the 37th minute. Dazzling footwork by McAidoo saw him dance around four Sparta Prague players before splitting two defenders to play Oboavwoduo through on goal.

The striker placed the ball past Zajac with ease to double City’s lead in the final clear-cut chance of the half for either side.

A two-goal lead is always a slightly nerve-wracking scoreline to return to for the second half.

But despite early pressure from the hosts and a vocal Sparta Prague contingent in the stands, City weathered the storm.

A flurry of corners saw Wright go closest with the last. He controlled the pass from Jaden Heskey, giving himself space to unleash a right-footed effort which curled away from the left post on 63 minutes.

Quick play that shattered Sparta Prague’s lines saw Wright find Braithwaite with a no-luck pass in the centre of the pitch. The latter played a through ball into McAidoo who saw his first-time cross met by the leaping Oboavwoduo.

But the City striker’s header, and hat-trick, was denied by Zajac who caught the ball in the centre of the goal with just over 15 minutes left to play.

And he finally got his third after a perfectly weighted chipped through ball by Samuel saw Oboavwoduo in behind Sparta’s tired defensive line.

He went one-on-one with the keeper as everyone watched with bated breath. The number nine slotted the ball under Zajac’s left arm as he attempted to meet the low, fizzed shot.

The net bulged with just under 10 minutes to play, the final nail in the coffin as City saw out the 3-0 win on home soil.

HOW WE LINED UP

Oliver Whatmuff wore the number one shirt and was protected by a back four of Lakyle Samuel, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Stephen Mfuni and Kaden Braithwaite.

In midfield, captain Jacob Wright was joined by Jaden Heskey and Divine Mukasa and tasked with controlling the game.

City’s attacking line was led by Justin Oboavwoduo with Ryan McAidoo and Farid Alfa-Ruprecht providing quick, attacking threat on either flank.

CITY XI | Whatmuff, Samuel, Simpson-Pusey, Mfuni, Braithwaite, Wright, Alfa-Ruprecht (Henderson-Hall 82’), J. Heskey, Oboavwoduo (Warhurst 82’), Mukasa (Gray 60’), McAidoo (R. Heskey 77’).

SUBS | Hudson.

SPARTA PRAGUE XI | Zajac, Krpalek (Piralic 8’) (Havrlik 63’), Riha, Tosnar, Horak, Rus, Liska (Demmer 78’), Kaczmarek (Pavlik 78’), Hranos, Divis (Kotrba 78’), Novak.

SUBS | Franc, Azaka.

WHAT IT MEANS

City now have six points and move up to ninth as we look to continue strengthening our position in the league table.

Our next Youth League test will see us travel to Sporting CP for a 13:00 (UK) kick-off on Tuesday 5 November. The clash will be available to watch live on CITY+.