On Saturday afternoon, Club NXT U23 traveled to Wezet's stadium to take on Standard's youngsters, SL16 FC. Blauw-Zwart deservedly took a 0-1 lead after a fine goal by Salah. Shortly before the end of the match, Standard was able to net the equalizer from offside, but Lenn De Smet provided the deserved three-point lead just before extra time with a nice deviation.
Visiting straggler SL16, only goalkeeper Bursik dropped out of the first team after the European trip to Molde. No Homma, Barbera or Talbi, but Audoor, Goemaere and Da Silva kicked off. The mutual duels between the pledges of Club NXT and Standard are spirited duels every season between two teams going full out for the win. The home team opened the match best with a first shot by Benjdida after only three minutes, which ended up in the side netting from close range. A first chance for Club NXT soon followed. A corner kick flew past the pack, and goalkeeper Epolo stayed put as well. Da Silva finally put his foot to it, but mis-hit the leather, sending the attempt over goal.
Afterwards, both teams kept each other in balance without really big goal chances. Goalkeeper Bursik only had to catch a weak shot by the Rouches. Club NXT gradually got under steam and resolutely went in search of the opening goal. Goemaere passed to Salah, but his cross was blocked by Bianda. Afterwards, it was again Salah who served Lenn De Smet perfectly, but the blond striker's attempt disappeared into a corner. On the half hour Blauw-Zwart got their reward. A very nice attack started at goalkeeper Bursik, who launched Goemaere. Our ever hard working midfielder passed to Et-Taïbi who very quickly played to the free Salah. Our number ten knew no mercy for goalkeeper Epolo and cleverly popped the 0-1 into the short corner from the edge of the sixteen. SL16 could not find any opening in the well-organized block of Club NXT, so our youngsters went to the dressing room with a deserved lead.
At the start of the second half, SL16 frantically went in search of the equalizer. It produced some hot standings in front of Bursik's goal. Bianda was the end of the first corner in this second half. He headed confidently toward goal, but still saw his attempt blocked by an NXT body. Very cleverly, Standard striker Benjdida took a ball over his shoulder. He seemed to create a free shooting opportunity, but the striker had to swerve too far to finish properly. His shot fortunately disappeared into the side netting. Meanwhile, both teams changed some players. At Club NXT, Goemaere was replaced by Furo. Barely a minute into the game when he forced goalkeeper Epolo into a save. The clock ticked on and Club NXT had the match well under control. Standard could not really threaten dangerously.
Salah tried to double the score but his shot went wide of the goal. Goalkeeper Bursik had no problem with a low distance shot from the home team. With a cutting attack, Club NXT went to war again shortly after. De Smet laid the ball back to the edge of the sixteen, where Audoor was ready to kick. His shot was completely cracked, and bumped wide. Audoor and Da Silva were allowed to rest and were replaced by Simba and Bisiwu. Standard wanted to score the equalizer at all costs and tried to get through Club NXT's defensive lines on all sides. The substitute Berberi suddenly appeared out of nowhere in a shooting position. Quickly he tried to surprise Bursik, but the Club goalie stood ready, handling the attempt well.
Finally the equalizer fell for SL16. With a crafty ball over the defense, Ziani suddenly found himself all alone in front of goal. The left winger shook the nets, although he was clearly offside. The Dutch game officials saw no bones about it and approved the goal. Very unpleasant for Club NXT. Could they still win the game with five minutes left on the clock? Yes, and how! On Salah's free kick, Lenn De Smet deviated beautifully past Epolo at the first post. A fantastically cut free kick, and an even more beautiful deviation if possible. 1-2 in the 90th minute. Club NXT was able to play out the match carefree afterwards. With this, they score a nine out of nine and climb to ninth place. For now, they are again the best promising team of the series. Next Friday our youngsters play at The Nest against Seraing. Supporters be on post en masse to push Club NXT to a fourth consecutive victory.
Club NXT U23: Joe Bursik, Joaquin Seys, Jano Willems, Bi Abdoul Kader Yameogo, Amine Et-Taïbi, Liam De Smet, Laurens Goemaere (65’ Kaye Furo), Sem Audoor (82’ William Simba), Mo Salah, Jessi Da Silva (82’ Jesse Bisiwu), Lenn De Smet. Bank: Axl De Corte, Tobias Lund Jensen, Oleksandr Yakymenko, Bruce Deuwel. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
SL16 FC: Matthieu Epolo, William Bianda (53’ Paulo da Silva Thiago), Daan Dierickx, Faroukou Kayode Cissé, Henri Lawrence, Ilyes Ziani, Léandre Filipe Kuavita (64’ Rabby Mateta Pepa), Noah Emmanuel Mawete Kinsiona (75’ Rayan Berberi), Anisse Brrou (75’ Noah Makembo), Soufiane Benjdida, Brahim Ghalidi. Bank: Matteo Godfroid, Birame Diaw, Adrien Giunta, Oscar Olivier, Noah Dodeigne. Coach: Réginal Goreux.
Goals: 30’ Salah 0-1, 85’ Ziani 1-1, 90’ Lenn De Smet 1-2.
Yellow cards: 39’ Brrou, 70’ Benjdida, 76’ Liam De Smet.
Referee: Robin Vereijken (Netherlands).
Stadium: Stade de la Cité de l’Oie, Wezet.