Club NXT U23 loses 2-1 in Seraing

Just like in FC Liege, Club NXT could not take any points in the fiery city this time either. Seraing took a 2-0 lead within a minute of halftime after an own goal by Willems and a shot by Kilota. Captain Vermant was soon able to mitigate to 2-1 via a penalty, but our youngsters did not get any further after a game with a lot of effort.

Coach Hayen could again count on Shion Homma who returned from injury. It was our Japanese who created the first danger. His shot was blocked, then Goemaere popped just wide of the post. Shortly after, Lenn De Smet was in the cannon, but his kick disappeared over goal. On another Club NXT attack, Lenn put the ball in front of goal, where Romeo Vermant's header ended up on the roof of the Liège goal. Seraing also went in search of the opening goal. Lepoint laid the ball off for Fall who fortunately kicked just wide of the Bruges goal. Afterwards it was again Blauw-Zwart that went on the attack. Eventually the ball came to Homma who shot just over the crossbar. In the next phase the very industrious Homma delivered a cross that hit Lepoint's arm. Unfortunately, the referee did not see a penalty in it.

On the half hour, it was almost a hit for the home team. Metanire crossed toward Lepoint. His shot deviated and Shinton shook a clever save out of his hat. Afterwards, our goallie was impeded on a free kick, forcing him to release the ball. Fortunately, Fall kicked wide of the goal. Our Japanese player fooled around with the opponent. An individual action by Homma was finally deflected by Spago. Meanwhile, Romeo Vermant was heavily tackled by Seraing's defense for the umpteenth time. Only at the stroke of half-time did the referee give a yellow card to Metanire for this. Defender Tshibuabua escaped a yellow card several times. Romeo licked his wounds. Halftime was reached with a spectacle score after an enjoyable viewing.

Seraing came out of the locker room furious and immediately pressed Club NXT against its goal at the start of the second half. Shinton soon had to bring out his talent and prevented an early lead. Unfortunately, he was floored when Willems worked a Soumah-Abad cross into his own goal. Our youngsters lost their touch and barely a minute later it was 2-0. Club NXT couldn't get the ball out of the box and Kilota took advantage. His shot disappeared into the Bruges goal. With more than half an hour to go, Club NXT looked for the tying goal. After a foul on Homma, captain Vermant converted the penalty. 2-1. Both teams continued to look for another goal. Seraing was the closest. Goalkeeper Shinton saved a header by Lepoint, but Cachbach headed in the rebound. He was offside, however, leaving the score at 2-1. After yet another foul on Vermant, the captain had to leave the field injured. Norwegian Faraas came on with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Coach Hayen also brought in Simba, Granados and Yameogo in hopes of turning the tide. However, it was goalkeeper Shinton who had to prevent the 3-1. Afterwards, Granados tried to put the ball into the right corner but goalkeeper Margueron was not surprised. Shortly before the end of regular playing time, Simba headed in a corner kick egg so after. We got no less than 8 minutes of extra playing time that went very exciting. Both teams once again gave everything. Fall luckily popped over the Bruges goal. Shinton grabbed an ultimate Seraing effort just before the whistle. Thus, the 2-1 remained on the scoreboard after an intense second half. Next Sunday, Club NXT hosts Beerschot, the first team's opponent in the cup match next Wednesday. Our youngsters are hoping for the support of as many supporters in the Nest as possible.

Club NXT: Nick Shinton, Denzel De Roeve, Jano Willems, Amine Et-Taïbi, Joaquin Seys, Liam De Smet (80' Alejandro Granados), Laurens Goemaere (57' Mohamed Salah), Lenn De Smet, Shion Homma (80' Abdoul Bi Kader Yameogo), Victor Barbera (80' William Simba), Romeo Vermant (75' Benjamin Faraas). Bench: Kiany Vroman, Sem Audoor. Coach: Nicky Hayen.

Seraing: Lucas Margueron, Marvin Tshibuabua, Elias Spago (82' Maidine Douane), Cheikhou Ndiaye, Romain Métanire, Mathieu Cachbach, Gérald Kilota, Christophe Lepoint, Mahamadou Dembele (87' Lilian Raillot), Pape Moussa Fall, Edouard Soumah-Abbad (71' Alama Bayo). Bench: Timothy Galjé, Noah Solheid, Djibril Djarra, Désiré Segbe. Coach: Grégory Proment.

Goals: 49' Willems 1-0 (own), 51' Kilota 2-0, 57' Vermant 2-1 (penalty).

Yellow cards: 44' Métanire, 55' Homma, 90+7' Yameogo.

Referee: Laurent Willems.

Stadium: Stade du Pairay, Seraing.