Club NXT U23 won its final match of the season at the Anderlecht Futures after a spirited match at the King Baudouin Stadium. Barbera scored via a penalty kick. Tajaouart quickly netted the equalizer. On the half hour, Lenn De Smet scored the 1-2. With this victory, our youngsters finish in a handsome 9th place and are once again the best U23 team in the Challenger Pro League.
Coach Veldman could count on Homma and Seys to join the trip to Paok. Barbera returned from injury, as did Denzel De Roeve who had been out since November. Blue-Black started the match strongly. The first corner kick was for Club NXT. Homma dribbled his way in and passed to Granados. The Purple-Black defense intervened wisely. Soon after, Lenn De Smet was launched. He was brought down in the penalty area. Barbera netted the penalty into the left corner beyond the reach of goalkeeper Vanhoutte. An early lead was the result.
Unfortunately, a few minutes later Barbera lost the ball, allowing the Futures to put the leather in front of goal via the right flank. Tajaouart worked the cross in on the turn: 1-1. Everything was to be redone. No worries. Our youngsters were eager for a good result and remained the better team on the field. De Roeve's reappearance was almost rewarded with a goal. Unfortunately, his attempt was unsuccessful and only resulted in a corner kick. At the other end, shots by Colassin and Monticelli were blocked. Via another corner kick, the ball lingered in front of Anderlecht's goal, but eventually Barbera could not beat goalkeeper Vanhoutte.
After just over half an hour, Club NXT climbed back into the lead. Lenn De Smet poked the ball against the nets. 1-2. A few minutes later Homma failed to increase the lead. He kicked a free kick high over goal. Club NXT continued to combine well and dominated the home team. Just before halftime, Liam De Smet kicked the last big chance over Vanhoutte's goal on a cross from his brother Lenn. We went to rest with a deserved lead for our youngsters.