AZ Alkmaar defeats Göztepe in UEFA Youth League opener

AZ Alkmaar secured a 3-1 victory against Göztepe U19 in the first leg of the UEFA Youth League second round. The match, held at the AFAS Trainingscomplex, marked Göztepe's first appearance in European competition for 56 years.

Göztepe took an early lead in the 25th minute through a penalty converted by Yusuf Ali Şirin. However, AZ Alkmaar responded before halftime with a free kick from Chavarello Hellings. In the second half, Hellings scored his second goal of the night from a penalty in the 78th minute to give the Dutch side a 2-1 lead. Jahmael Ampofo sealed the win for AZ with a goal in the 90th minute.

The tie will conclude in a second leg in Izmir, Turkey. The winner of the matchup will advance to face either Rangers FC or Dynamo Kiev in the final qualifying round.