Club NXT won 3-0 on Friday night at the Jong Genk field. In a game with many duels, Club NXT was able to build a lead even before halftime through Lenn De Smet and Vermant. Afterwards, it further deepened the score through a goal by Granados in the closing stages.
After the narrow defeat in Lommel, Club NXT U23 had to face another Limburg team. The away match against Jong Genk was played at the stadium of ASV Geel. Vermant and Homma returned to the starting lineup. Lenn De Smet returned from injury and also started. On the bench took place newcomers Granados, Faraas and Da Silva. Goalkeeper on duty was Nick Shinton, who did not travel with the team to Osasuna. For Amin Et-Taïbi, this match meant seeing his former teammates again after his move to Blue-Black.
Last season, the Genkies narrowly avoided relegation. This season they started with a six out of six. For Club NXT, this away game is never an easy task, especially with the Limburgers on a good run. The first big chance was for the home team. Abid crossed from the left flank and Karetsas' shot zoomed narrowly wide of the right post. Barely a minute later, it was Abid himself who popped at goal. With a leg sweep, Shinton was able to keep the zero on the board. With the first good attack by Club NXT, it was already a prize. Vermant snatched the ball from Manguelle and laid the leather perfectly ready for Lenn De Smet who neatly netted the 0-1. Genk was not affected by this early deficit. To their credit, they continued to look for a goal. When Beniangba took out Willems he fortunately shot wide left of the Bruges goal. Here Club NXT got away well. In a pleasant first half, we saw many duels, but goals still remained out. Until Salah served the cleverly in-running De Roeve. He put the ball in front of the goal, where Vermant was ready to blast the 0-2 past goalkeeper Penders. An all in all deserved lead for an efficient Club NXT.
In the second half, both teams kept each other in balance. Strong duels were fought. The referee handed out a lot of yellow cards. Homma tried to extend the lead, but his attempt went wide of the top corner. On the hour, striker Granados replaced midfielder Audoor, making his debut in the Challenger Pro League. Genk continued to look for the tying goal. Claes tried with a low shot, but the again strong keeper Shinton grabbed. The brand-new, Norwegian recruit Faraas also got his first taste of professional soccer ten minutes before the referee's exit. Together with Goemaere, he replaced Homma and Salah. The substitutions paid off. On a quick switch, striker Granados was able to push through and nicely shot the 0-3 past the Limburg goallie from outside the penalty area. Shortly before the end of the match, coach Hayen also allowed 15-year-old Da Silva to get his first taste of professional soccer. He replaced Lenn De Smet. Last week, that honor fell to Kaye Furo. It fits into the objective of Club NXT U23 to train and prepare young players for professional soccer with a view to advancing to the first team. At the end of the match, Jong Genk looked for the honorable goal. Sternberg made two necessary saves for Shinton, but it remained 0-3. Verily another strong performance by Club NXT U23, starting the season with a stellar six out of nine. The next match is Sunday afternoon against Patro Eisden Maasmechelen at The Nest.
Club NXT U23: Nick Shinton, Denzel De Roeve, Amin Et-Taïbi, Jano Willems, Joaquin Seys, Liam De Smet, Sem Audoor (60' Alejandro Granados), Mohamed Salah (80' Benjamin Faraas), Shion Homma (80' Laurens Goemaere) , Lenn De Smet (85' Jessi Da Silva), Romeo Vermant. Bench: Henri Maton, Daniel Peréz, William Simba. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Jong Genk: Mike Penders, Kelvin John, Adnane Abid (81' Cédric Nuozzi), Kamiel Van De Perre, Faissal Al Mazyani (66' Deniz Arabaci), Thomas Claes, Josue Ndenge Kongolo, Alfred Caisedo, Ryan Manguelle, Konstantinos Karetsas (66' Noah Adedeji-Sternberg), Victory Beniangba. Coach: Jelle Coen.
Goals: 11' Lenn De Smet 0-1, 45 + 1' Romeo Vermant 0-2, 82' Alejandro Granados 0-3.
Yellow cards: 37' Caicedo, 49' Homma, 55' Audoor, 64' Kongolo, 68' Claes, 86' Granados.
Referee: Tim De Keyzer.
Stadium: stadium De Leunen Yellow.