On its return to The NEST, Club NXT U23 had to acknowledge its superiority to AS Monaco's pledges. At halftime it was still 0-0 after a nice game of soccer. In the second half, Monaco took the lead with goals from Tincres and Etonde.
Coach Veldman started with youngsters Talbi, Yameogo and Vermant from the first team. Recruit Wylin started in the starting lineup, Campbell was allowed to take a seat on the bench.
The first chance was for the visitors, Cabral's shot went into the side netting. Shortly after, Talbi fired a free kick over Lienard's goal. On the counterattack, Et-Talbi narrowly tapped the ball away for the speedy Awragh.
Both teams went in search of the opening goal, that much was clear. First, Awrah again kicked a chance over De Corte's goal. Afterwards, Vermant had the chance to open the score. Lenn De Smet gave a perfect assist, but our striker kicked the leather at goalkeeper Lienard. On a pass from Sem Audoor, Vermant's next attempt went over the crossbar.
Semedo at the visitors missed some beckoning chances as did our attackers. Goalkeeper De Corte kept his nets clean when he narrowly tapped in a nice cross from the right. In an entertaining first half, goals remained out.
At the start of the second half, Talbi and Vermant were replaced by Campbell and Furo. Monaco also substituted four players.
Goalkeeper De Corte stopped an overhead shot, but the ball came right into the feet of the onrushing Tincres. He did not hesitate and popped the ball in. 0-1 for the visitors. Club NXT went in search of the equalizer. Sem Audoor kicked too softly at goal. Afterwards, Goemaere just couldn't reach a measured cross from Lenn De Smet.
It was Monaco that unfortunately found its way to goal again. Goalkeeper De Corte again turned away a hard shot from his goal, but in the rebound this time it was Etonde who rattled the nets, 0-2.
Shortly after, a third goal was fortunately disallowed for offside. , De Corte was able to prevent the 0-3 by catching Touré's shot. Club NXT could not really threaten goalkeeper Lienard anymore. The match got spicier, resulting in a few yellow cards.
Campbell went for his own chance ten minutes before time, but his shot lacked sufficient power. A Monaco shot only just went over the crossbar and Willems saved a ball on the line.
The final score remained 0-2. Coach Veldman has two more practice games to go before the league starts. Tomorrow an away game at KSV Oudenaarde. Next Saturday at The NEST against West Ham.
Club NXT U23: Axl De Corte, Siebe Wylin, Kader Yameogo, Amine Et-Taïbi, Sem Audoor, Laurens Goemaere (76' Jano Willems), Chemsdine Talbi (46' Shandre Campbell), Lynnt Audoor, Romeo Vermant (46' Kaye Furo), Lenn De Smet, Tobias Lund-Jensen. Bench: Argus Vanden Driessche, Liam De Smet. Coach Robin Veldman.
AS Monaco: Yan Lienard, Aurélien Platret, Alan Eser, Bouba Dembaga, Bradel Kiwa, Pape Cabral, Souffiane Awragh, Ilane Toure, Romaric Etonde, Florian Baranik, Jordan Semedo. Bench: Yanis Benachour. Coach: Djimi Traore.
Goals: 51' Tincres 0-1, 65' Etonde 0-2.
Friday, August 2 (7 p.m.), The NEST.