After the international break, Club NXT U23 hosted SK Beveren. Last season our youngsters sent the Waaslanders home 3-0 during the playoffs, but this time the score was reversed. Soon Bateau scored on a corner kick, just before halftime Geusens took advantage of a misunderstanding in the Blue-Black defense. In the second half, Koyalipou popped a penalty past Shinton.
Coach Nicky Hayen could not call on the injured Homma. Vermant then returned from injury. Ordoñez started in the starting lineup as did goalkeeper Shinton. The match was led by a Dutch trio. The referee quickly shoved a yellow card under Goncalves' nose after pushing and pulling with Ordoñez. Beveren put goalkeeper Shinton to work shortly after. Our goalie tapped the ball over the goal. Unfortunately, the visitors took a quick lead anyway. At a corner kick Bateau was left completely free and he hit the 0-1 rock hard against the nets.
Blauw-Zwart was not deterred and continued to combine calmly and look for an opening in Beveren's defense. Every time the last pass was just wrong or a Beveren foot or leg intervened. Vermant scored the first good attack of Club NXT U23. However, his shot inside the box lacked power, allowing Reus to catch the ball easily. Via a corner kick Barberá could almost score the equalizer, but again Reus was ready with a good reflex. Limbombe, ex-Club Brugge, dribbled his way through the Brugge lines, but Shinton had no problems with his cross. Geusens then tried from long range, but fortunately his shot went narrowly wide of the Bruges goal. Just before halftime, the same Geusens took advantage of a too-short back pass and kicked in the 0-2.
