Today our Kemphans headed for Sint-Truiden where they were welcomed at the recently renamed Daio Wasabi Stayen Stadium. Today’s match is hugely important for the battle for a Play-Off 2 ticket, so both teams definitely wanted to add three points.

Line-up KVC Westerlo: S. Bolat, B. Reynolds, R. Neustaedter, P. Perdichizzi, M. De Cuyper, M. Fixelles, T. Van den Keybus, M. Gumuskaya (D. Nene 70′), L. Van Eenoo, N. Chadli (N. Madsen 70′), K. Vaesen (I. Vetokele 83′)

First half

Early in the first minutes of the match, we saw a good chance for our Kemphans. Van den Keybus delivered the ball excellently in front of goal where Leistner was still able to head the ball away with great difficulty. Then we almost went behind. Perdichizzi worked a ball with a clumsy move towards his own goal, Bolat was able to prevent the drama with an excellent reflex.

The chances went back and forth for both teams. Now it was Vaesen who found himself in an excellent position to open the scoring after a Fixelles breakaway. His shot unfortunately ended up along the wrong side of the post. Then Vaesen was played another good ball. Chadli crossed hard but Kyan mis-hit the ball.

Our Kemphans clearly brought the most threat to the match in the first half-hour. Reynolds brought the ball up to Vaesen in minute 32, who managed to kick it towards goal via a difficult one-time shot. Unfortunately, the ball ended up on the top of the crossbar, leaving it still 0-0.

The opening goal came a little later. After a VAR check of several minutes, Koita was sent off the pitch after working Reynolds against the flat. De Cuyper put himself behind the ball and popped it towards the top of the goal, 0-1.

Our Kemphians went into the dressing rooms with a deserved lead. The first half was marked by many chances by both teams.

Second half

STVV started the second half with high intensity and fierce duels. It looked like it was going to be a totally different game compared to the first half, goal chances were long out and when a chance came, little was done with it.

Our Kemphians constantly controlled the game but showed little intentions to start putting the 0-2 on the board. It seemed that the plan was to quietly play out the match to go home with the win.

In the closing quarter, a few more chances followed for our Kemphans. De Cuyper managed to put a ball well in front of goal but the cross was cleared via a tackle. Subsequently, substitute Nene was also able to storm towards goal and strike but his shot ended up in the stands.

Finally, the final whistle sounded. Westerlo deservedly went home with the three points after a strong first half and a controlled second half.

Goals

M. De Cuyper 0-1 (41′)