Premier League International Cup
Leeds United U21 2 (Vincent 45’, Lopata-White 90’)
Sporting CP B 1 (Momade 22’)
Leeds: Mahady (GK), Dudley, Lienou, Pickles (C), Lopata-White, Howson, Vincent, Douglas (Brockie 90’), Gray (Render 60’), Chadwick, McDonald (White 82’). Subs not used: Ombang (GK), Pirie, Firth, Whitehead.
Sporting: Pires (GK), Momade, Ciesielski, Alves, Lee (Peixoto 90’), Bafdili (Gamboa 84’), Grombahi, Camacho, Martins (Nikitenko 84’), Santos (C), Sanha (Nascimento 71’). Subs not used: Clara (GK), Palamarchuk, Estrela.
Referee: Ben Robinson
Booked: Dudley, McDonald, Chadwick (Leeds) Lee, Martins, Ciesielski, Gamboa (Sporting)
Venue: LNER Community Stadium
Leeds United Under-21s put in a superb display to beat an impressive Sporting CP B outfit in their opening Premier League International Cup group stage match.
With the game level entering the final moments, defender Reuben Lopata-White proved to be the match winner for his side, powering home a last-gasp header to earn a deserved three points!
The Whites went into the encounter with boss Scott Gardner having made one change to the side that fell to defeat last time out in the Premier League 2 against Crystal Palace, recalling Harry Gray to the starting lineup.
The hosts began on the front foot and went desperately close to taking the lead in the opening moments as Rhys Chadwick latched onto the end of a deep Harvey Vincent delivery and, at full stretch, played it back across the face of goal though the ball evaded everyone in the middle.
A wonderful first touch from Jayden Lienou then saw the full-back control excellently and charge down the flank, almost picking out the run of Gray at the near post only for the retreating Daniel Ciesielski to make a crucial intervention for Sporting.
For all United’s early pressure, the Portuguese side took the lead when Rayhan Momade raced in behind the backline to collect a pass from Zaid Bafdili and fired a low strike beyond Rory Mahady and into the back of the net.
Keen to quickly restore parity, excellent tenacity from Louie Dudley saw the defender wrestle back possession and drive towards the edge of the area before hitting a rasping drive from 20 yards out that whistled agonisingly past the upright.
A black shirt then had to be alert to head clear as Gray rose highest at the back post and glanced the ball back into the danger zone, with Dudley lurking in the middle as the Whites continued to threaten.
Moments before referee Ben Robinson brought an entertaining opening period to a close, Sporting goalkeeper Guilherme Ramos produced a superb fingertip save to deny Gray’s fierce free-kick from arrowing into the top corner.
From the resulting corner, however, there was nothing the stopper could do to prevent Gardner’s side deservedly drawing level as Vincent found space inside the area to bundle home an equaliser!
HALF TIME: Leeds United U21 1-1 Sporting CP B
Both teams emerged from the break unchanged, as did the intensity – the tempo at the LNER Community Stadium was relentless and challenges were flying in what was a competitive, hard-fought affair.
A loose pass across the visitors’ penalty area was collected well by Chadwick in the early stages before the midfielder laid it off for the onrushing Josh McDonald to strike. The shot cannoned off Ciesielski and bounced wide as Pires scampered across his goalline.
Chadwick was then involved from the subsequent set-piece, picking out Gray who glanced a header narrowly beyond the far post.
The match was by no means one-way traffic, though, and Mahady’s services were called upon 10 minutes into the second half, getting down impressively to gather Chris Grombahi’s left-footed drive.
A first change from the dugout saw Jacob Render introduced into the action, replacing the lively Gray in a change to the forward line as the clock ticked over the hour mark.
Ciesielski again proved his worth for the Portuguese side as Leeds broke once more through McDonald and Vincent, well placed to head the latter’s hooked delivery away from danger before Render had the opportunity to put United into the lead.
Miguel Alves was next to crucially intervene for Sporting, diving in front of Jonny Howson’s close-range shot as the experienced mentor reacted quickly to a bouncing ball in the visitors’ penalty area and fired towards goal.
Gardner’s side had two opportunities to win the tie in the remaining minutes. Breaking at pace, the impressive Vincent forced a fine save from Pires. The young keeper’s next save was just as good, tipping Chadwick’s curling strike from distance over the bar.
The Whites weren’t to be denied victory however and the pressure finally told in style! Chadwick lined up a free kick on the edge of the area and, despite shaping to shoot, he hooked a clever chipped delivery towards the back post.
Skipper Ollie Pickles rose highest and powered a header back into the middle, where Lopata-White was on hand to beat Pires and fire his team to victory!
Collecting three points in a thrilling opening fixture, Leeds will also face Athletic Club, Borussia Dortmund and Anderlecht in Group D.
FULL TIME: Leeds United U21 2-1 Sporting CP B
