Club NXT U23 undergoes law of the jungle at the Kiel

Our youngsters experienced a difficult afternoon at the Kiel, visiting the leader in the Challenger Pro League. Despite some giant chances for Club NXT, it was Beerschot that was already leading 2-0 at halftime. In an intense second half, the home team finally drew the longest straw and won 3-0.

After the handsome victory in Beveren, it was looking forward to Club NXT's performance at the Kiel. Due to the departure of Romeo Vermant, coach Nicky Hayen had to make some changes in the team. Liam De Smet took his place and Amine Et-Taïbi took over as captain. Backed by over 5,000 supporters, the home team immediately went on the attack in search of an early lead. Keita headed the first chance over the Bruges goal. Beerschot kept putting constant pressure on our youngsters, but the defense held up well. Silently Club NXT came up dangerously and the home team was alerted when Homma, Sabbe and Seys all just failed to score three times. Goalkeeper Matijas stopped our Japanese, Sabbe's chance was turned away on the line, and Seys' shot narrowly missed the goalpost. Beerschot was lucky shortly afterwards, when Thibaud Verlinden - son of ex-Club Brugge goalkeeper Dany Verlinden - netted the 1-0 from outside the penalty area just out of reach of goalkeeper Shinton. That was momentarily sour for our youngsters.

Club NXT put pressure on the Purple-White defense afterwards, allowing them to recover the ball and create chances. Thus, the leather ended up with Barbera who stood face to face with goalkeeper Matijas. Unfortunately, the home goalie prevented the equalizer from our Spaniard. Beerschot had more luck with one of the many corner kicks they took. A little after half an hour of play, a corner kick put the ball in the pack and Reyners was able to score at the far post from close range. Afterwards, the same Reyners popped a nice goal opportunity just over the crossbar and just before half time, goalkeeper Shinton was able to prevent the 3-0 via Nzita. So we went to rest with a 2-0 deficit. Provided more efficiency in finishing, Club NXT could certainly claim a tie at halftime.

At the start of the second half Club NXT came out of the locker room with renewed courage. This resulted almost immediately in Sabbe's tying goal, but Matijas stood firm once again. Club's pledges also applied more pressure, forcing Beerschot back into their own half. Granados served his mate Barbera but he kicked too softly towards goalkeeper Matijas. Sabbe and Barbera were replaced by Faraas and Willems. Soon after, Beerschot was able to take advantage of a misunderstanding in defense and Keita netted the 3-0. Despite this large deficit, Club NXT remained combative. Granados kicked a free kick just wide of the goal. Coach Hayen brought in Bisiwu and Da Silva along with Simba. A good opportunity for our 15-year-old players to gain experience. Blauw-Zwart continued to fight and set up attacks. Lenn De Smet regularly put the ball in front of goal, but couldn't score the tying goal. Faraas was also unable to finish off a cross from Et-Taïbi. A last big chance was for substitute Sekou Diawara - brother of Club NXT player Mamady Diawara - who was played in nicely and went off alone on goal, but Simba prevented the exaggerated 4-0 score. Thus, a nice game by Club NXT with a lot of effort still ended in a too heavy 3-0 defeat. Efficiency in finishing killed our very young team. Next Friday Club NXT will host Deinze in The Nest. Supporters be on post en masse to support our youngsters.

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. Bench: Kiany Vroman, Axl De Corte, Sem Audoor, Bruce Deuwel. Coach: 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). Bench: Andi Koshi, Marco Weymans, Jerrell Hak, Bill Lathouwers. Coach: Dirk Kuyt.

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

Yellow cards: 87' Seys.

Referee: Matonga Simonini.

Stadium: Het Kiel, Antwerp.