KV Kortrijk can dream of an extended stay in the first class. Photo: BELGA
Eupen’s story in the first division of Belgian professional football has ended after eight seasons. The East Cantoners lost 1-0 on the field to competitor KV Kortrijk, which still has a chance to save themselves. Captain Joao Silva headed KVK to an important three-pointer and let his team climb over RWDM in the rankings.
KV Kortrijk seems to be a cat with seven lives. No one gave a damn about their chances in these Relegation Playoffs. But look now: KVK is participating again, especially after RWDM’s loss at home against Charleroi yesterday. That painful defeat by the Brussels team meant that KV Kortrijk had opportunities against Eupen. That gave the Kortrijk fans and players courage. However, it was not the start the home fans hoped for. KVK was even shocked early in the match after Mehssatou received the ball through his body in his own penalty area. After a long VAR intervention, ref Verboomen and co ruled that it was not a penalty. KV Kortrijk did well there.
The match was close for a while, as both teams knew well what was at stake. It was Eupen who was the first to put his nose to the window. Charles-Cook, who shone in the previous game against Kortrijk, was the first player to try to create danger. After this threat, the home team woke up. Ambrose and Davies moved forward in the hope of being served by their teammates, but their good intentions did not result in any opportunities.
Severe red card
For Eupen it was all or nothing. Losing meant relegation, winning meant that the East Cantoners still had a chance to save themselves. The away team played with a lot of courage. Perhaps a little too much, because after half an hour of play, captain Boris Lambert was sent off the field after a foul on Sissako. A strict decision if you ask us. KV Kortrijk is on roses, you think. But that early exclusion at Eupen did not immediately result in opportunities or in better play from the home team. It did increase the pressure a bit and apparently a ten-member Eupen team could no longer cope with that. Kadri swung a free kick towards Slonina’s goal just before half-time and it found Silva’s head. The Kortrijk captain headed the ball against the ropes, 1-0. Not entirely deserved, but this time Kortrijk was on a roll.
Boris Lambert was sent off the field after half an hour of play. Photo: BELGA
Bad second half
Eupen seemed to be a bird to the cat after their painful first half. The early red card and the goal conceded just before half time had a major impact. To make matters worse, Anderssen, their coach, also received the red card at half-time after a conflict with the goalkeeper coach of KV Kortrijk, who also saw the red card from Verboomen. The nerves were tense. KVK did not immediately take advantage of the turbulent situation at Eupen. Red and White tried something, but they were mainly satisfied with ball possession. The Pandas from Eupen did not make it difficult for them in the second half. They almost got a penalty after a foul by Mampassi on Charles-Cook. Verboomen was sent to the screen again, but ruled that it was not a penalty. KV Kortrijk again got away well. The home team takes an economical and important three-pointer without playing well. With this victory, KV Kortrijk sends Eupen to the Challenger Pro League. At KVK one can still dream of an extended stay in first class.
KV Kortrijk: Pirard, Mampassi, Silva, Fujii, Mehssatou, Sissako (59′ Kana), Kangwa (92′ Bruno), De Neve, Kadri, Davies, Ambrose (72′ Avenatti).
Eupen: Slonina, Van Genechten (65′ Nuhu), Palsson, Filin, Pattynama (76′ Kral), Magnée, Lambert, Keita (65′ Möhwald), Emond (45′ Baiye, 76′ Youndje), Bialek, Charles-Cook .
Goals: 55′ Silva (Kadri) 1-0.
Yellow cards: 14′ Sissako, 16′ Emond, 51′ Davies, 51′ Filin, 68′ Pirard, 81′ Youndje, 81′ Mehssatou.
Red cards: 29′ Lambert.
Referee: Nathan Verboomen.