A few days before the crucial Youth League match against RB Leipzig, Club NXT met FC Antwerp at The Nest, which also has ambitions to play in Pro League 1B next season. Coach Rik De Mil was able to call on Audoor, Persyn and Pérez from the first team.
At the first corner kick of blue-black, the visiting goalkeeper initially missed, but was eventually able to prevent a quick opener from Club NXT. Still, our youngsters took an early lead. Romeo Vermant kicked at goal from long range. The ball deflected and goalkeeper Matijas was floored. 1-0. Club NXT put a lot of pressure and prevented the visitors from really good actions. After more than fifteen minutes of play, goalkeeper Vermant had to leave the field injured. Aelterman replaced him. Initially goalkeeper Kiany Vroman had a quiet game. He only had to neutralize a distance shot by Vilsaint. Our youngsters had a big advantage. First, Pérez kicked a great opportunity over the goal. Soon after, Audoor gave a perfect assist from a free kick to captain Blomme, who cleverly headed the 2-0 just under the crossbar. It was only towards the end of the first half that Antwerp were able to balance the game and the Sinjoren had some good chances to net the tying goal. A first attempt hit the crossbar. Soussi was also unable to finish. Pérez had a really bad day and missed two more good chances after assists from first Mondele and then Aelterman. 2-0 at halftime.
Control in the second half
At the start of the second half, Nusa and Audoor were replaced by Servais and Engels. Servais showed immediately, but the visiting goallie caught his effort on goal. Pérez was again unlucky in finishing afterwards. Goalkeeper Vroman almost made a mistake by not putting the ball back into play properly. Fortunately, he saved the game twice to keep the score at zero. Club NXT, however, allowed Antwerp to get more into the game. The reds threatened more and more. Soussi popped a house-high chance over goal. Some time later, the visitors were able to lay on the ball again, but again it lacked direction. Antwerp brought in some fresh forces to turn the tide, but coach De Mil also changed some players. Sabbe replaced Persyn who was slightly hindered after a kick. Fofana came on in place of De Roeve. He almost surprised the visitors' defense and goalkeeper, but his shot unfortunately went wide. Antwerp's threat diminished as the match progressed. Really big chances became scarce. Aelterman once again served Pérez who just couldn't reach the ball, after which goalkeeper Matijas was able to prevent the 3-0. It remained 2-0, a deserved victory against The Great Old.
So Club NXT takes another three points. A good rehearsal for Wednesday's crucial match against Leipzig. It is also firmly in the top four, which gives the prospect of a place in the Pro League 1B competition next season.
Club Brugge: Kiany Vroman, Denzel De Roeve (74' Ibrahima Fofana), Ibe Hautekiet, Abakar Sylla, Lukas Mondele, Xander Blomme, Thibo Persyn (71' Kyriani Sabbe), Lynnt Audoor (46' Arne Engels), Daniel Pérez, Romeo Vermant (20' Noah Aelterman), Antonio Nusa (46' Mathis Servais).
Coach: Rik De Mil.
Antwerp: Davor Matijas, Nill De Pauw, Robbe Quirynen, Abderahmane Soussi (71' Dieter Vanhees), Abderahman Amal (76' Gilles Jehin), Arthur Vermeeren, Laurit Krasniqi, Emmanuel Muanza, Leander Legein, Adam Zaânan (63' Dries Ceulemans), Jules-Anthony Vilsaint (46' Abdel-Malik Aziz).
Coach: Gill Swerts.
Goals: 7' Vermant 1-0, 31' Blomme 2-0.
Yellow cards: Sylla, Vanhees, Mondele.
