Beerschot gets the better of Club NXT U23

It was a tough afternoon for our youngsters at the Kielstadion, the home ground of the leaders in the Challenger Pro League. Despite some good chances for Club NXT in the first half, Beerschot went into half-time with a 2-0 lead. After an intense second half, the hometeam eventually came out on top with a 3-0 victory. 

All eyes were on Club NXT at the Kiel, following its clever win in Beveren last time out. Manager Nicky Hayen had to make some changes, due to Romeo Vermant's transfer to Westerlo. Liam De Smet replaced him in attack, and Amine Et-Taïbi was given the armband. More than 5000 fans cheered the home team on, as it immediately started pushing for the opening goal. The first chance of the game was for Keita, whose header went over the bar. Beerschot kept putting our youngsters under pressure, but they defended well. Gradually, also Club NXT started creating some danger, and the home team was cautioned when Homma, Sabbe and Seys all came very close to a goal. Goalkeeper Matijas denied our Japanese, Sabbe's attempt was cleared off the line, and Seys' shot went just wide of the post. Shortly after, Beerschot had more luck when Thibaud Verlinden, son of former Bruges-keeper Dany, found the back of the net with a low driven effort. A bitter pill to swallow for Club NXT.

After the goal, Club's youngsters put the Purple and White defence under pressure, which saw them regain possession and create some chances. Barbera, for instance, went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the latter managed to prevent the equaliser. Again, Beerschot proved to be more efficient: Reyners was able to put the ball past Shinton at the second post after one of the many corner kicks his team had earned. 2-0 after half an hour. Reyners almost immediately scored a second, but his attempt went just over the bar. Right before half-time, Shinton pulled off a good save to deny Nzita and keep the score at 2-0 after 45 minutes. Club NXT deserved to be on level terms, but it needed to be more ruthless in front of goal.

At the start of the second half, Club showed some renewed courage. That almost lead to a quick goal by Sabbe, but once again there was no way past goalkeeper Matijas. Beerschot was pushed onto its own half, as a result of Club NXT's high pressure. Granados found his Spanish mate Barbera, but his shot lacked power. In a first personnel change, Sabbe and Barbera were replaced by Faraas and Willems. Shortly after, Beerschot took advantage of a misunderstanding at the back, and Keita netted the 3-0. Despite the three-goal deficit, the visitors did not give up. A free kick by Granados went just wide. Nicky Hayen decided to bring on Bisiwu, Da Silva and Simba, for the two 15-year old players a nice opportunity to gain experience. Black & Blue kept on fighting and creating chances: Lenn De Smet sent in some useful crosses, but scoring seemed impossible this game. Substitute Faraas couldn't finish either after a cross by Et-Taïbi. The last big chance of the game was for Beerschot player Sekou Diawara, whose brother Mamady plays for NXT. He went through on goal but was ultimately stopped by Simba. The 3-0 end result is harsh on Club NXT, which put in great effort and deserved a goal, but was not efficient enough. Next Friday, Club NXT U23 hosts Deinze at The Nest. 

Club NXT: Nick Shinton, Joaquin Seys, Amine Et-Taïbi, Bi Kader Yameogo (75’ William Simba), Kyriani Sabbe (55’ Jano Willems), Alejandro Granados, Liam De Smet, Laurens Goemaere (80’ Jessi Da Silva), Shion Homma (75’ Jesse Bisiwu), Victor Barbera (55’ Benjamin Faraas), Lenn De Smet. Bank: Kiany Vroman, Axl De Corte, Sem Audoor, Bruce Deuwel. Manager: Nicky Hayen.

Beerschot: Davor Matijas, Herve Matthys, Tom Reyners, Thibaud Verlinden (84’ Benjamin Pauwels), Ryan Sanusi (84’ Axl Van Himbeeck), Mardachée Nzita (84’ Ibrahim Alhassan), Derrick Tshimanga, Charly Keita (63’ Sekou Diawara), Welat Cagro, Tolis Konstantopoulos, Simion Michez (72’ Mike Van Beunen). Bank: Andi Koshi, Marco Weymans, Jerrell Hak, Bill Lathouwers. Manager: Dirk Kuyt.

Goals: 25’ Thibaud Verlinden 1-0, 34’ Tom Reyners, 59’ Charly Keita 3-0.

Yellow cards: 87’ Seys.

Referee: Matonga Simonini.

Venue: Het Kiel, Antwerpen.