A last gasp defeat for Club NXT U23 against Jong Gent, the winning goal only coming in extra time through a corner kick. Club had taken the lead twice in the second half, first through Osuji and then through Van Britsom, but Gent drew level twice too: through a header by Mazouz and Vandenbroucke. Shortly before the end of regular playing time, a blast from Koren smashed the crossbar, only to see the hosts' winning goal go in through Abdullahi making it 3-2 at the Planet Group Arena.
Coach De Roeck surprised with Osuji in midfield and Goemaere in defense. Club had a difficult start to the match, with the Buffaloes camping out on Club NXT U23's half, so to speak. Fortunately, their shots flew wide or over. Goalkeeper Vanden Driessche went flat well on a shot by Asselman, and after almost fifteen minutes of play, he tapped the ball twice just over the crossbar. The first real chance for Club NXT U23 was a free kick, kicked over by Goemaere.
Jong Gent dominated the match, and it was only with ten minutes to go in the first half that Club NXT U23 could really threaten goalkeeper Evens. First, Lund Jensen dribbled through the Gent defense, but the Gent goalie worked his shot into a corner kick. This was put well in front of goal but Osuji headed wide. Gent had a few more chances still before halftime. Koren tried for Club NXT U23 from long range, but also to no avail.
With Bisiwu remaining in the locker room at the start of the second half, Jong Gent remained the dominant team without creating too many big chances. The score was even opened on the other side of the pitch as Osuji made the nets tremble, lobbing the ball beautifully over goalkeeper Evens. The joy was shortlived, however, as Jong Gent mounted an attack down the left wing, where Morel produced a fine cross to find Mazouz netting the equalizer. But again Club took the lead as Van Britsom rounded off a clever counterattack through Koren scoring the 1-2. A few minutes later, Lund Jensen missed the 1-3. This would turn out to be a pivotal point in the game, as the hosts made it 2-2 just a bit later. Again the left wing was the preferred side, Abdullahi putting the ball in front of goal and this time Vandenbroucke headed it in. Both teams now clearly went in search of the winner, and on two occasions Koren was so close to putting it to bed. First he popped at goalkeeper Evens, and on his next attempt, the ball ricocheted off the crossbar. Bad luck for Club NXT U23, and the misses were paid in spades as in the closing stages of the match Abdullahi headed in a final corner kick to make it 3-2. Next match of Club NXT U23 is on Easter Saturday against Eupen, for the last home match in the Challenger Pro League.
Club NXT U23: Argus Vanden Driessche, Alexander Vandeperre, Samuel Gomez Van Hoogen, Laurens Goemaere, Siebe Wylin, Gianluca Okon-Engstler, Vince Osuji (82' Alejandro Granados), Jesse Bisiwu (46' Naïm Amengai), Tian Nai Koren (89' Andre Garcia), Tobias Lund Jensen, Jakke Van Britsom (82' Jessi Da Silva).
Bench: Thibeau Kestemont, Rayan Buifrahi, Wout Verlinden, Sem Audoor, Mohamed Elbay.
Coach: Jonas De Roeck.
Jong Gent: Bas Evers, Briek Morel, Preben Blondeel, Hannes Vernemmen, Victor Vandenbroucke, Wout Asselman, Mathias Delorge (46' Oleksandr Soroka), Gyano Vanderdonck, Abubakar Abdullahi (90+3' Ali Sylla), Mohammed El Adfaoui (64' Ruslan Vydysh), Diop Modar (46' Jassim Mazouz).
Bench: René Vanden Borre, Simon Buggea, Souta Tsukuda, Briek Van Hoorick, Michiel Cauwel.
Coach: Thomas Matton.
Goals: 54' Osuji 0-1, 64' Mazouz 1-1, 66' Van Britsom 1-2, 75' Vandenbroucke 2-2, 90+1' Abdullahi 3-2.
Yellow cards: 20' Delorge, 65' Morel, 76' Amengai, 80' Asselman.
Referee: Lander Bultynck.
Stadium: Planet Group Arena, Ghent.