Club NXT sticks to draw against OH Leuven U21

Goalless first half

Coach Rik De Mil was able to call on Jack Hendry for the match against OHL, who came to gain match rhythm. Also starting were Lynnt Audoor, Cisse Sandra, Daniel Pérez and Senne Lammens from the first team. American Mauricio Cuevas made his debut at Club NXT U21 in the absence of the injured Denzel De Roeve.

Cuevas was immediately very eager. He sent a dangerous cross for goal, creating Club NXT's first threat. Unfortunately, no one was able to finish. Afterwards, he popped an effort over the Leuven goal himself. Goalkeeper Lammens had to intervene wisely and parried a dangerous OHL shot on two occasions. The Brabanders retreated massively to their own half. Our youngsters were looking for a gap. Vermant headed straight at the goalkeeper. Audoor tried with a distance shot, but the ball went wide. Talbi also tried to outsmart goalkeeper Ravet, but without success. Just before halftime Sabbe painted a cross in front of goal, but Pérez just couldn't head the ball in. 0-0 at halftime after a disappointing first half.

Captivating second half has no final winner

The second half had just begun when OHL advanced to the back line. Lefrancq surprised everyone from a very sharp angle and the visitors were ahead against the run of play. A cold shower! Goalkeeper Lammens then had to push a free kick into a corner. Leuven gradually started to gain time and also committed a lot of mistakes to interrupt the ever improving play of Club NXT. It earned them five yellow cards. When Cuevas again advanced on his flank and brought the ball delightfully in front of goal, Pérez was able to score from close range in two times. 1-1. Not enough for our youngsters with an eye on a place in the top 4 towards professional soccer in 1 B next season. Realizing this, Club NXT pushed the visitors back more and more, but the Leuven defense held firm. Sandra saw his effort disappear wide of goal. Pérez could not double the score when he headed over goal on a cross from Cuevas. Vermant also had no luck. His effort went wide of the Leuven goal. Engels popped a nice effort over the goal. Five minutes before the end of regular playing time, there was a scare when a rare OHL counter-attack hit the crossbar. Coach De Mil meanwhile brought in a lot of fresh strength. Blauwzwart tried with all their might to get a deserved three points, but the second goal always fell just short. In the final seconds, Vermant's ultimate chance on a cross from Engels disappeared centimeters off the post.

OH Leuven snatches point home

Thus OHL took a point home to Leuven. There is no choice for Club NXT but to take a six out of six in the next two home games in the derbies against Zulte-Waregem and Cercle. Supporters all on post! But first follows Friday already the arduous assignment in the cup on the field of RC Genk.

Club NXT: Senne Lammens, Mauricio Cuevas, Jack Hendry, Abakar Sylla, Kyriani Sabbe, Xander Blomme, Daniel Pérez (87' Ibe Hautekiet), Chemsdine Talbi (85' Noah Aelterman), Romeo Vermant, Cisse Sandra (75' Arne Engels), Lynnt Audoor. Coach: Rik De Mil.

OHL: Oregan Ravet, Dylan Ouedraogo, Kevin Shkurti, Ilias Lefrancq, Warre Smet, Tibe Vanhaeren (84' Isaac Asante), Natan Juste (90+2' Henri Stanic), Louis Patris, Joël Schingtienne, Mykola Kukharevych (89' Nguidi Nsingi), Sebastiao Richie Sagrado. Coach: Eddy Vanhemel.

Goals: 47' Lefrancq 0-1, 55' Pérez 1-1.

Yellow cards: Audoor, Lefrancq, Smet, Juste, Kukharevych, Sagrado.

Stadium: The Nest Roeselare.