Club NXT U23 played a 1-1 draw on the field of RFC Liège. NXT thus failed to take the three points and rise to a shared fifth place with SK Lommel. The home team took the lead through Merlen, but Campbell scored the equalizer in fabulous fashion. NXT certainly still had opportunities to win, but Club Liege could also have emerged victorious from this duel. A deserved draw, then.
While the first team played the classico against Anderlecht, Club NXT U23 had to make the far away trip to RFC Liege, where with Englebert and Deflandre two ex-Club Brugge players are employed as coaches. Blauw-Zwart started with an undrafted defense due to the absence of the injured Et-Taïbi, Yameogo, Willems, De Roeve and now Sem Audoor. Tytens came on to kick off as a result. Wylin and Verlinden formed the central duo. Liam De Smet had to depannulate at right back.
Liege had a first chance, but Lefebvre kicked high over De Corte's goal. Our goalie was on hand when Mouhli headed in a free kick. Campbell then turned well away from his man, but his shot went high over. After Verlinden lost the ball, Mouhli had the chance to score. He had free rein inside the box, but his shot was not framed. Furo showed for the first time after fifteen minutes of play. He was given some space on the edge of the sixteen and looked for the far corner. However, his shot went a meter wide.
In the next giant chance, Furo was the passer for Campbell, who shot straight at goalkeeper Lejoly. Our South African also committed a hand play, so any goal would be disallowed. Granados was sent into the lane by Lund Jensen, but his shot was not framed either. Club NXT had the best chances, but could not score for now. The home team suddenly succeeded when Merlen headed in a cross from Marzo from the right: 1-0. A few minutes later Club NXT escaped a double deficit. First De Corte pushed the ball away from Cascio with a cat leap, then Wylin saved Marzo's header on the line. Captain D'Ostilio in turn headed over goal. It was all hands on deck for Club NXT to hold off RFC Liege after their opening goal. Our youngsters were also unlucky with the finish. Granados popped hard over goal and Furo's shot was blocked. Liege continued to look hard for a second goal. A shot by Da Silva ended up on the back of a teammate running in front of De Corte's goal. De Corte then boxed away a free kick. But the last good chances of the first half were for Blauw-Zwart. First, Campbell kicked the leather over goal. Goalkeeper Lejoly twice saved the efforts of Tytens who tried to net the equalizer from very close range at the far post. In vain and so we went to rest with a 1-0 deficit.
