Club NXT U23 loses 1-2 to Beerschot

Club NXT faced a possible title contender for the second consecutive week with the arrival of Beerschot. A missed penalty kick and a goal from offside killed our youngsters.

Compared to the topper against RWDM, coach Nicky Hayen missed his tastemaker Antonio Nusa. He was allowed to play with the first team on Friday and was good for an assist. Arne Engels took his place in the starting line-up. Beerschot immediately showed that they came for the three points. A first shot on goal by Vaca disappeared into the side netting. Goalkeeper Lammens then plucked the ball out of the air on an attempt by Weymans. Thibo Baeten showed himself for the first time and tried to outsmart our goalkeeper with an overhead kick, without success for now.

Captain Audoor quickly picked up yellow, and Cisse Sandra and Owen Otasowie also quickly flew into the referee's book. Our youngsters did not have it easy against a bustling Beerschot. Lammens pushed a low shot narrowly wide of the post in corner kicks. He was also able to parry Verlinden's shot. Club NXT struggled to reach its front line and threaten goalkeeper Lathouwers. Baeten was constantly lurking to score. First his header was easily caught by the Lammens, but just before halftime he had to give in. Baeten headed an overhead cross in. 0-1 for Beerschot.

Coach Hayen replaced Sandra and Audoor with Talbi and Cuevas at the start of the second half. There was immediately more zest in the team and the match. The first dangerous chance, however, was for the visitors. Verlinden popped the fists of Lammens with a hard shot. Lennart Mertens had the chance to net the equalizer shortly after. From close range he unfortunately kicked just wide of the goal.

Captain Engels pushed the team forward more and more. Beerschot came under pressure and captain Sanusi had to pull the emergency brake. The penalty kick was unfortunately kicked onto the post by Arne Engels. Pérez replaced Mertens and in turn went in search of a goal. However, the threat came from the other side. Goalkeeper Lammens had to twice block attempts by Verlinden to prevent the 0-2.

The goal did come when Baeten again hit the ball into the goal from an offside position. Seys then replaced Otasowie and the injured Vermant was replaced by Homma. Our Japanese brought fire back into the team. It soon resulted in the tying goal. Engels fired hard at goal, but goalkeeper Lathouwers was able to punch the ball away. Homma recovered the ball and gave the perfect assist to the on-rushing Pérez. 1-2 with fifteen minutes to play, everything was still possible. Club NXT pulled out its very last energy to score the equalizer. Beerschot held on, however, especially when Blauw-Zwart was reduced to ten after Pérez's red card.

Next league game is Saturday, September 10 at 4 p.m. in and against Jong Anderlecht. But first there is the opening match against Leverkusen in the Youth League, next Wednesday at 4 p.m. at The Nest. Supporters on post!

Club NXT: Senne Lammens, Kyriani Sabbe, Jorne Spileers, Joel Ordoñez, Owen Otasowie (68' Joaquin Seys), Arne Engels, Lynnt Audoor (46' Aimar Cuevas), Noah Mbamba, Romeo Vermant (76' Shion Homma), Lennart Mertens (60' Daniel Pérez), Cisse Sandra (46' Chemsdine Talbi). Bench: Kiany Vroman, Liam De Smet.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.

Beerschot: Bill Lathouwers, Hervé Mathys, Luca Meisl, Thibo Baeten, Ibrahim Alhassan (82' Andi Koshi), Thibaud Verlinden, Ramiro Vaca (60' Ilias Sebaoui), Louis Seydoux, Ryan Sanusi, Marco Weymans (82' Mardochée Nzita), Dante Rigo.
Coach: Andreas Wieland.

Goals: 40' Baeten 0-1, 65' Baeten 0-2, 78' Pérez 1-2.

Yellow cards: Audoor, Mathys, Otasowie, Sandra, Sanusi, Verlinden, Koshi.

Red cards: Pérez.

Referee: Tom Stevens.

Stadium: The Nest Roeselare.

Spectators: 672.