Club NXT U23 claimed a 3-2 win over Chelsea's U21 side in front of a big crowd. Furo scored twice before the half-time whistle and Bisiwu added a third in the second half of this highly entertaining clash. Chelsea pulled back a goal twice to keep the pressure on Club, but the youngsters held on for a deserved win.
Just five minutes into the match, Van Britsom whipped in a perfect cross for Furo, who tapped home with ease to make it 1-0. Soon after, another Van Britsom delivery found the big striker again, but this time his shot was blocked. Chelsea had their first chance through Tauriainen, whose strike from a tight angle hit the side netting. Granados showed off his technique with a well-struck effort on 23 minutes, but goalkeeper Curd was equal to it.
At the other end, goalie Stefan Ostoici - on his maiden appearance - had to step in with a solid save to deny Kauuma-McQueen's curling effort. After Osagie committed a foul on Van Britsom, Bisiwu’s free-kick was saved by the goalkeeper. Just before half-time, Antwi fired a dangerous ball across the face of Club’s goal, but it was the hosts who were more clinical. Wout Verlinden played a clever pass through the defence to Furo, who broke free and sidefooted it in past Curd. Club were 2-0 up at the break.
At half-time, Furo, Osuji, Bouazzaoui and Granados made way for Naert, Amengai, Delorge and Strouwen. A mistake at the back allowed Harrison to slot home for 2-1 and Chelsea pushed hard for the equaliser. Van Britsom denied Antwi with a crucial block, and Harrison came close again with a header on a corner.
On the hour mark, Bisiwu broke free with his trademark pace and finished clinically to restore the two-goal cushion: 3-1. He was later replaced along with Okon and Elbay, with Vandeperre, Wins and Marloye entering the fray.
Ostoici was called into action multiple times, producing key stops - most notably a spectacular fingertip save to deny Runham twice in quick succession. Axl Wins nearly added a fourth from the halfway line after spotting the Chelsea keeper well off his line, but his ambitious effort landed on the roof of the net. Soon after, Naert saw a shot deflected wide.
Despite another brilliant save from Ostoici, Chelsea found the net through Murray-Campbell from the resulting corner to make it 3-2. That would prove to be the final scoreline in a strong outing from Club NXT U23.
This week Club NXT U23 will be facing Lille OSC (01/08 - 19h - The NEST) and Feyenoord (02/08 - 15h - Jan Breydel) for two more friendlies.
Club NXT U23: Stefan Ostoici, Mohamed Elbay (61’ Sacha Marloye), Wout Verlinden, Vince Osuji (46’ Léni Strouwen), Renzo Tytens, Gianluca Okon (61’ Axl Wins), Alejandro Granados (46’ Naïm Amengai), Ilyas Bouazzaoui (46’ Lucas Delorge), Kaye Furo (46’ Stan Naert), Jesse Bisiwu (61’ Alexander Vandeperre), Jakke Van Britsom.
Bench: Thibeau Kestemont.
Coach: Tim Wolf.
Goals: 5’ and 45’ Furo 1-0 and 2-0, 51’ Harrison 2-1, 60’ Bisiwu 3-1, 71’ Murray-Campbell 3-2.
Yellow: 34’ Osagie.
Venue: The NEST, Roeselare.