Antwerp's U23 Team Visits England

Antwerp's Under-23 team traveled to London for a match against Leyton Orient. Although they demonstrated their qualities and created several opportunities, the match ended in a 2-1 loss. The trip was part of a team-building exercise that also included training at Millwall's accommodation.

Positive Experiences and Future Prospects

For Niels Devalckeneer, this London trip was an unforgettable experience. He said: 'I think everyone can be proud of how we performed over the weekend. This was good for our team spirit. It was my first time here, and training at Millwall's accommodation was perfect.'

Devalckeneer also expressed his readiness to step up if Taishi Nozawa departs this summer: 'That could happen, but Taishi is still with us now. We will support him as much as possible because he’s doing fantastic work. And if he leaves, we’ll see what happens.'

Analyst's Perspective and Future Goals

Patrick Goots, Antwerp's home analyst, reflected on the match: 'I feel good getting back on the Eurostar,' he said. 'They played two matches with their qualities but unfortunately lost both times. However, you have to consider that it was a kind of strengthened U23 team. With the A-team, those late goals wouldn’t have happened.'

Goots also praised Michael Frey’s debut in goal and Geoffry Hairemans’ performance: 'He did well and could have scored. It will be important for him to score again soon and find his form. The defense was unimpressive but they managed to solve the issues well.'

Goots concluded by saying, 'Overall, it was a successful trip to England. You can hear from the players that it was very enjoyable as team building, something different. This tastes like more,' hinting at the possibility of Antwerp’s return to European football.

Match Report

The match against Leyton Orient saw Michael Frey and Dorian Busi make their first official appearances for Antwerp after returning from loan spells. Scott scored the opening goal for Antwerp, but in the last quarter, Mizouni and Wellens capitalized on the unsecured defense to secure a 2-1 victory for the English team.

Despite the loss, the trip was seen as positive by both players and analysts, emphasizing its importance for team bonding and future prospects.