Daan Heymans scored the only goal of the evening. Photo: BELGA
Charleroi deservedly kept the three points at home against KV Kortrijk. The Carolo’s never got into trouble against a very weak KV Kortrijk. The return of Brecht Dejaegere on the Belgian fields was not enough for the visitors to erase the 1-0 of Daan Heymans.
Both clubs had a mediocre start to the season, with 6/12. Charleroi wanted to respond after the defeat at Union, Kortrijk confirmed after the home win against Standard. Brecht Dejaegere was in the selection for the Kerels for the first time, but started on the bench. Just like Dion De Neve, who saw his place taken by El Idrissy. Ambrose, the hero against Standard, also returned to the team. At the home team, Rik De Mil stuck with the same eleven despite the narrow defeat against Union.
Quick opening goal
Charleroi started the match with the most courage, Heymans saw his shot end up next to Gunnarsson’s goal. However, the Carolo’s continued to dominate possession and after less than ten minutes that also yielded something. At a corner kick, Heymans was left completely alone by the Kortrijk defense, heading the ball past Gunnarsson turned out to be a piece of cake. Good for his fourth of the season already. Immediately 1-0 for the home team, Kortrijk had to look for an answer. Only that turned out to be very difficult for the West Flemish. It had trouble keeping the ball in the team, to the frustration of striker Ferri.
Logically, the 2-0 seemed closer than the 1-1, but Guiagon forgot to serve Heymans for his second of the evening. Ten minutes before half-time, Guiagon was allowed to strike after a clever combination: he lobbed the ball past the Kortrijk goalkeeper, but Bernier’s offside beforehand threw a spanner in the works. So we went to half-time at ‘only’ 1-0, which Kortrijk in particular could be happy about: 23% ball possession and not a single shot on target, it could only get better after the break.
Halfway through the score was 1-0 for the Zebras. Photo: BELGA
Nevertheless, the same 22 tenors came out for the second half. The game picture was the same as before the break: Charleroi dominated the ball possession. Guiagon immediately tried to make it 2-0, but his shot bounced off the post. The Kortrijk machine just couldn’t get going so Alexandersson intervened: Takamine and Messaoudi made their appearance and Brecht Dejaegere also made his comeback in the shirt of the Kerels.
Kortrijk managed to squeeze out a bit more possession, but the biggest chance came for Heymans. He was allowed to finish freely one-on-one with Gunnarsson, but kicked straight at the Icelandic goalie. After 65 minutes we finally got a first attempt from the visitors, substitute Takamine saw his line just go over. However, the guys did not improve much, in addition Fujii and Alebiosu fell out after a heavy collision with each other.
Brecht Dejaegere tried to force something with some nice balls in the final quarter, but the visitors’ performance remained too weak. Charleroi thus takes a deserved three points and enters the top three, while KV Kortrijk confirms what coach Alexandersson said beforehand: his team has such a hard time booking two victories in a row.
Substitute Brecht Dejaegere could not turn the tide. Photo: BELGA
Charleroi: Cone; Petris, Keita, Andreou, Dragsnes (88′ Ousou); Camera, Zorgane, Heymans; Guiagon (78′ Nzita), Bernier (79′ Mbenza), Badji (68′ Sylla)
KV Kortrijk: Gunnarsson; Lagae, Silva, Fujii (70′ Mampassi); Alebiosu (70′ De Neve), Mehssatou (59′ Takamine), Bruno (59′ Dejaegere), El idrissy; Kadri; Ferri (59′ Messaoudi), Ambrose
Goals: 10′ Heymans (1-0)
Goals scored: 58′ Andreou, 61′ El Idrissy, 87′ Kadri, 90+6′ Ambrose
Referee: Kevin van Damme
Attendance: 6,800
