Soccer Challenger Pro League RSCA Futures
Rik Vercauteren is out of contract, but is not worried. “I’m focusing on this season and then see what comes my way.” — © BELGIUM
Avoiding the last place in the promotion pool. After last week’s defeat against Club NXT, that seems to be the last goal this season for the RSCA Futures. Although goalkeeper Rik Vercauteren dreams of more with the visit to Lierse Kempenzonen in the offing. “Our goal remains to finish as the first U21 team.”
Wim Redant
The 21-year-old Vercauteren collided with the mastery of Bart Verbruggen for a long time this season, until the Dutchman became number one in the Lotto Park. For example, the resident of Beveren-Waas got his chance at Schiervelde on November 11, where he won a 2-2 draw against Club NXT with the RSCA Futures. A week later, Vercauteren was again between the posts in Denderleeuw, but against Beerschot the student TEW lost his starting place again to the younger Timon Vanhoutte, who was also allowed to go on an internship to Greece with the A-squad. After Vanhoutte was injured, Vercauteren came to the fore again.
“After two draws, the third confrontation with Club NXT last week unfortunately ended in defeat,” says the goalie. “It’s a pity, because the match against Club NXT was one we really wanted to win. I think it’s bullshit to say that Club Brugge has the best youth work in Belgium. Anderlecht has been the standard for years and is the figurehead of Belgium. That is precisely why the current ranking hurts the eyes. We are now seven points behind Club NXT, but with no fewer than eight match days ahead, we are not giving up. Our goal remains to finish as the first U23 team.”
Things went wrong against the Bruges promises last week, where it went wrong so often this season: a lack of efficiency. “Club NXT scored two goals from three chances, while we missed a lot of opportunities and hit the post twice. We play nice football and create plenty of opportunities, but it is difficult to achieve a result.”
At the Lisp, Vercauteren hopes to keep his nets clean on Saturday. “I kept my nets intact against Beerschot, but that was of course the merit of the entire team. Every game we go for the full booty. We cannot promote anyway, but we want to get away from sixth place and try to collect as many points as possible.”
End of contract
The goalkeeper is also out of contract, but is not worried. “Football comes first, but I am also working on a diploma. I don’t have much free time due to the combination of studies and professional football, but I also try to pay attention to family and friends. I will focus on this season and see what comes my way.”