Almost, but not quite again; that was the final conclusion of this match. Individual mistakes were at the root of the two goals against – those involved know this all too well – however, nothing could be remarked on the reaction of our Kemphans. Superb mentality and several chances were enforced. However, it was the post and Max De Cuyper, on two occasions even, that kept us from a goal – and an equally equaliser.

KVC Westerlo

After the match against Club, some casualties had to be ticked off. Actually, it started the day before the match. At the last training session, Bryan Reynolds injured himself and was not match-fit. His place on the right wing was taken by Jordan Bos, who in turn then had to be forced to be replaced on the hour by Edi Jordanov. The next adjustment in the scenario for STVV, then fell in minute 73. Tuur Rommens then received his fifth yellow card of the season and Emin Bayram cashed in a double yellow in the last minute of play of the match, meaning he too will have to leave Stayen to his own devices. A quartet of defenders thus out. Two through injury and two through suspension. 

By the way, did you know that we are the ‘dirtiest’ team this season with 37 yellow cartons and 1 yellow/red carton behind our name? And honestly, we have a street length lead over number 2. 

The match against STVV is going to be historic for our club. It will be the ^54th confrontation between them, which puts them in (shared) first place in terms of opponents. So later in this football season, they will be our most-in-the-eye opponent. This year we already played twice at Stayen, losing twice (2-0 and 1-0), indeed in the last five games on the artificial turf, we won only once, in 2023, after a penalty goal by Maxim De Cuyper.

STVV

Italian coach Lattanzio was given early in the season to replace (success) coach Fink. After 6 games (3 draws and 3 defeats), he was allowed to dispose and another Italo joined the group: Felice Mazzu. He immediately started with 2 wins (OHL 2-1 and Beerschot 0-3) and 2 draws (1-1 at Cercle and at home against Gent). In the regional derby against Gent, he then lost for the first time (3-2).

In these five games, it was always the same players (except one) who were allowed to start the match. Half of them are Japanese nationals: goalkeeper Kokubo, defenders Taniguchi and Ogawa and midfielders Yamamoto and Fujita. In the last 2 matches, a ^6th Japanese, Ito, was allowed on stage, replacing his compatriot Yamamoto in the centre of midfield.

Man-in-form was Adriano Bertaccini. He managed to score as many as 4 times. The other 5 names that were filled in each time were those of Louis Patris, who came over from Anderlecht, captain Bruno Godeau, defender Rein Van Helden, deep striker Zahiroleslam and Algerian international Billal Brahimi, who is rented from Nice with an option to buy. We will not see the latter back on the pitch on Saturday due to a day’s suspension, following his double yellow against Genk.

Wesli De Cremer

For the first time this season, this 32-year-old referee will officiate a match for both teams. In the past, we have encountered him 20 times, our Limburg opponent had him 13 times. Our statistics are fifty-fifty, although in 10 ‘away’ games we could only win once: at Cercle Brugge (0-1) and played 3 draws: Genk (3-3), Beerschot (1-1) and Roeselare (0-0).

Text and statistics: Peter Boons