Ipswich Town Under-21s opened their Premier League International Cup campaign with a 1-0 loss to Anderlecht’s second team at Portman Road on Tuesday evening.

Despite the result, the Blues had several positives to take from the game, with first-team duo Cedric Kipre and Marcelino Nunez both playing significant minutes as they look to earn more game time under Gary O’Neil.

The visitors took advantage of a competitive clash to record their opening victory, thanks to a first-half strike from Pape Aliya N’Dao, with Town unable to break through in response despite finishing the game strongly against 10 men.

Early Promise Before Anderlecht Take Control

The young Blues made an encouraging start to the game and looked bright during the early exchanges. Nunez, featuring in midfield, had an early reminder of his quality when bursting on to the edge of the area but could only fire just wide of the target.

However, the good work of the opening half hour was halted by a lengthy stoppage time following a clash of heads between Jacob Mazionis and Oliver Wilkinson.

Wilkinson was forced off after the incident and was replaced in the early stages by Josh Lewis in an early setback for John McGreal’s side. In the resumption, Anderlecht started to settle into the game and started to enjoy longer spells of possession.

The Belgian side looked increasingly dangerous, particularly through Enzo Sternal, who caused Town problems throughout the evening with his creativity and movement.

Visitors Strike First

Anderlecht’s increasing dominance was rewarded just after the first-half hour. A neat move down the left opened up the Ipswich defence before Sternal sent a dangerous cross into the area for Pape Aliya N’Dao to finish coolly beyond Alex Noonan. A goal which summed up the visitors’ growing impact on proceedings.

More frustration for Town followed when Mazionis was also forced off after struggling with a knock which he sustained in the build-up to the opener. Having already lost Wilkinson, McGreal was forced into a second defensive substitution before the half-hour mark.

Ipswich did manage to create a few half chances before the break. Jamie Mauge came closest when he met Lewis’ deflected cross with a header inside the six-yard box, but lacked the power to seriously trouble the Anderlecht goalkeeper.

At the other end, Anderlecht were looking the more likely side to add to their tally, and should have done so on more than one occasion, most notably when Alexis Flips struck the woodwork from distance.

Valuable Minutes for Kipre and Nunez

One of the big talking points before kick-off was the inclusion of Cedric Kipre and Marcelino Nunez. Both players have found first-team opportunities limited this season, and the fixture offered them an opportunity to gain some match fitness.

It didn’t take long for the pair to demonstrate their experience, with Kipre providing much-needed composure to the defence whilst Nunez sought to dictate midfield proceedings whenever Town were in possession.

Neither player was able to completely dominate proceedings, but both were beneficiaries of an hour of competitive football before being withdrawn soon after the hour mark.

With a busy programme of fixtures remaining for the club, such game time may well be vital in ensuring both players are in first-team contention for the closing stages of the season.

Red Card Sparks Late Pressure

Anderlecht were comfortable for long spells in the second half and continued to pose a threat on the break. But the game turned late on when goalscorer N’Dao was sent off after a straight red card.

The forward responded badly to a challenge from Walker Shabazz-Edwards and was dismissed for grabbing the Town defender by the throat. His dismissal caused great protests from the visitors, and briefly raised tensions on the touchline.

But more crucially for Ipswich, it reignited their belief. The Blues launched a determined second-half quest for an equaliser, and came closest when substitute Sid Eldred’s dangerous cross just eluded Josh Pitts at the far post.

Eldred then saw a deflected effort fly narrowly wide in stoppage time as Town searched for a last-gasp leveller.

Positive Lessons Despite Defeat

Ultimately Anderlecht were worthy winners. The Belgian side completely dominated large portions of the game, creating the majority of chances and looking more comfortable with the ball.

For Ipswich, though, there were plenty of positives. Kipre and Nunez both featured with valuable minutes under their belt, several academy players got further invaluable experience against top-class opposition, and the side showed great spirit in coming from behind after losing key defenders early doors.

The team will now quickly turn their attention to next week’s Premier League International Cup fixture against PSV back at Portman Road. After such a disappointing opening result, McGreal’s side will be keen to respond in a positive fashion and reignite their hopes of progressing from the group.