Douglass Lukjanciks during an Everton training session at Finch Farm in November (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC)
Everton Under-21s bowed out of the Premier League International Cup at the quarter-final stage as they were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund at Walton Hall Park.
After losing their opening fixture to Real Madrid, Paul Tait’s side defeated PSV Eindhoven, Monaco and RB Leipzig to top their group, but their hopes of reaching the last four were dashed as they paid the penalty against German opposition. With 57 minutes on the clock, Blues centre-back Aled Thomas hacked down Ousmane Diallo in the area and visiting captain Tony Reitz made no mistake from 12 yards out.
Everton pushed hard for an equaliser and after striking the bar, substitute Shea Pita failed to hit the target with a big chance at the back post before a low drive from Almugera Kabar in stoppage time sealed the visitors’ passage.
**Douglass Lukjanciks 8**
Made some smart saves, including a low stop to deny Ousmane Diallo and went the correct way to his left for Tony Reitz’s penalty but couldn’t keep it out before denying Thierry Tazemeta late on.
**Odin Samuels-Smith 6**
More defensively minded than van Schoor on the opposite flank, he was more steady than spectacular.
**Josh van Schoor 7**
Marauding left-back, he was an energetic presence who liked to get forwards when he could.
**Reece Welch 6**
With a smattering of first team outings, the 6ft 6in centre-back was the most experience member of the Everton side and named captain but while he looked cool in possession, he should have done better with a headed chance that came his way.
**Aled Thomas 5**
Made a strong challenge on Ousmane Diallo after Bates gives ball away early on but was rather less subtle when he ploughed into the same player to concede the penalty before going close with a header at the other end.
**Callum Bates 6**
Booked early on, he had to walk a disciplinary tightrope until going off just after the hour mark but remained in the thick of the action.
**Kingsford Boakye 7**
Lively display on the right wing, he always looked a threat and combined well with Akarakiri at times.
**Francis Gomez 6**
Kept plugging away in the engine room, trying to pull the strings with little reward.
**Ceiran Loney 6**
Physical presence leading the line but slim pickings before he made way.
**Ademide Akarakiri 7**
Was involved in some nice combinations and kept asking questions of Dortmund’s defenders.
**Braiden Graham 6**
Quiet night for the golden boy, you could see he was always a threat when he dribbled with the ball, but there was no end product on this occasion.
**SUBS**
**Malik Olayiwola (on 62 for Bates) 7**
Had a low drive from Benjamin pass but was denied by Silas Ostrzinski in Dortmund’s goal and then his deflected shot struck the post deep into additional time.
**Omari Benjamin (on 62 for Loney) 6**
Brought some fresh legs for the final half an hour and blazed a shot wide in stoppage time.
**Shea Pita (on 63 for Boakye) 7**
Lively display off the bench, he rattled the crossbar with a shot but really should have hit the target when in space with a chance at the back post.
**Jacob Beaumont-Clark (on 79 for Gomez)**
Late introduction as Everton chased an equaliser.