2024 had a strong start in store for our Kemphanen. After a visit to Club Brugge, a trip to Ghent was next on the agenda. KVCW started that with reinforcement. Newcomer Romeo Vermant was immediately placed in the center of the attack during his first selection. Hopefully, his first minutes on the field would also result in his first three points as a Kemphaan.

KVC Westerlo lineup: S. Bolat, M. Fixelles (75′ D. Haspolat), N. Madsen, S. Sydorchuk, R. Vermant (60′ M. Frigan), G. Yow (90′ R. Tagir), B. Reynolds, T. Rommens (71′ R. Tagir), R. Neustädter, T. Van Den Keybus (75′ N. Chadli), E. Bayram

First half

A lightning start is the least you can say about the beginning of our Kemphanen in the match. After five minutes, Gent goalkeeper Schmidt had to stretch to save a shot from Reynolds, two minutes later, the Japanese goalkeeper had to stretch even more on an attempt from Yow.

The home goalkeeper was powerless in the 17th minute when the man with number 17 was skillfully played free. Assisted by Sydorchuk, newcomer Romeo Vermant not only provided a dream start for himself at KVC Westerlo but also for our Kemphanen in this match.

While Gent gradually took possession, most of the threat still came from our yellow and blue shirts. However, just before half-time, there was still a cold shower. A lightly awarded free-kick floated onto the head of the towering Gandelman, who ruthlessly headed the equalizer.

Second half

And so, the second half started a bit back to square one for yellow-blue. A similar lightning start as before the break did not happen. The second half turned out to be more about control than chances. Gent continued to weave diligently, but their attacking attempts proved too vague to trouble the defense of KVCW.

In a rare quick attack, Bolat stood firm against a shot from De Sart, and on the other side, Vermant once again showed eagerness in the attack. But a goal seemed no longer in the air at the KAA Gent Arena.

Until five minutes before the end when Yow was fouled in the box, and referee Bourdeaud’hui pointed decisively to the spot. The penalty proved to be an easy task for Madsen, who, with his sixth converted penalty in a row, seemed to secure the three points for our Kemphanen.

Seemed, because just like in the first half, Gondelman was again the villain of the piece. After a scramble in the box, the ball ended up with the Gent defender, who ruthlessly tapped it into the goal. The three points thus became (only) one. A good match thus had a bitter end for our Kemphanen.

Report: Glen Van Herck
Photos: Ses/Photo News