Club NXT U23 loses 3-2 at Dender

After the nine-on-nine, the final match of the outward round was scheduled. Club NXT traveled to Dender, where it lost 3-2. Homma scored the 1-1 after an early deficit. Afterwards, Dender ran out to 3-1. With ten to eleven, Club NXT battled back to 3-2 through substitute Servais. The ultimate equalizer fell several times just short, so Blauw Zwart returned home scoreless.

Coach Nicky Hayen was able to call on Mbamba, Spileers and goalkeeper Shinton. Soon, our youngsters proved to have trouble stopping the arch-vigorous M'Barki. It resulted in a 1-0 deficit after only five minutes. Dender's flank player left Cuevas behind and popped hard past Shinton high into goal. Dender also created the best chances afterwards. Shinton had to prevent the 2-0 after a kick into the bottom left corner by yet another M'Barki. Around the half hour, Shion Homma unleashed his devils. He dribbled through all the home team's lines and popped in the equalizer. Dender remained the better team, however, and Club NXT was lucky when a shot hit the post. Shortly before halftime, Shinton had to punch away a dangerous shot with his fist. Blue Black struggled and at the stroke of halftime Marzo was able to head in a free kick from M'Barki. 2-1 at halftime.

At the start of the second half, Sabbe replaced Spileers. The first good chance was for our youngsters. Mertens' header unfortunately hit the post. The match was more balanced without really pronounced goal chances. Coach Hayen made three substitutions around the hour. With Vanrafelghem, De Smet and Servais he brought in three fresh players. Mertens missed the equalizer, kicking at goalkeeper Gies from close range. Captain Hautekiet tried to stop a Dender attack, but was penalized with a red card for his faulty intervention. Club NXT had to continue with ten. Nevertheless, our youngsters were constantly looking for the equalizer. It took Dender several yellow cards to stop Blauw Zwart. Unfortunately, the home team was able to score the 3-1 through Cukur via a quick counter - on the edge of offside.

With ten minutes left to play, Club NXT constantly went on the attack, playing all or nothing. It yielded the 3-2 through Servais. Afterwards, Dender twice saved a ball on the line and Club NXT's last attempt stranded on the post. It was not to be, leaving Club NXT to suffer an avoidable defeat in Dender. Next Saturday in the Challengers Pro League the difficult move to Beveren awaits, but Wednesday first the last match of the Youhtleague has to be finished in Leverkusen.

Club NXT: Nick Shinton, Aimar Cuevas (58' Keano Vanrafelghem), Jorne Spileers (46' Kyriani Sabbe), Ibe Hautekiet, Denzel De Roeve, Joël Ordoñez, Noah Mbamba (58' Liam De Smet), Chemsdine Talbi (58' Mathis Servais), Shion Homma, Lennart Mertens (70' Joaquin Seys), Romeo Vermant. Bench: Henri Maton, Sem Audoor. Coach: Nicky Hayen.

Dender: Xavier Gies, Mike Smet, Kjetil Borry, Dylan Ragolle, Jonny Rowel, Ridwane M'Barki (62' Tiago Cukur), Jasper Van Oudenhove, Michael Lallemand (62' Nicolas Rasjel), Nathan Rôdes, Stefano Marzo. Coach: Regi Van Acker.

Goals: 5' M'Barki 1-0, 28' Homma 1-1, 43' Marzo 2-1, 81' Cukur 3-1, 85' Servais 3-2.

Yellow cards: 70' Cukur, 76' Ragolle, 90' De Roeve.

Red card: 64' Hautekiet.

Referee: Kevin Debeukelaere.

Stadium: Dender Football Complex Denderleeuw.