For the first time since August 10, Westerlo was able to keep the three points in Het Kuipje. In the first half hour, a powerful Dender made it difficult for the Gamecocks, after which Simons’ ex-club was easily defeated 2-0.
Two weeks after the arrival of Club Brugge, Timmy Simons was again visited by an ex-club with FCV Dender. The stakes of the match could not be underestimated. After a strong start, both teams had slipped somewhat in the rankings. A win resulted in a (temporary) place in the top six and gave more breathing space compared to the teams at the bottom.
Westerlo had received a boost during the week with the qualification for the next round of the Croky Cup, but that did not translate into the game image in the first half hour. Simons’ troops were unable to cope with the PhD student’s physical approach and high pressure and only managed to be dangerous once. A Frigan goal was rightly disallowed for offside.
Photo: BELGIAN
Westerlo was also not always precise at the back. The visitors showed a lot of grinta and enthusiasm, but you couldn’t call the football thunderous. A few half chances, that’s all. Not enough to really worry the home team. Although there was one big scare when Van Langendonck kicked the leather straight into Scheidler’s feet. The French attacker was unable to take advantage and slid the chance to score 0-1 into the side netting.
At the end of the first half, Westerlo gained more control over the match. More pressure and a higher tempo quickly translated into a goal. A previously almost invisible Frigan broke the spell by stealing the leather from Goncalves and, after a deep pass from Sayyadmanesh, also did the job himself. After a rush of thirty meters, the Croatian shot his fifth of the season in the short corner past Devriendt, who did not go free.
Photo: BELGIAN
For a moment, things threatened to go completely wrong for Dender before half time. A few minutes after the opening goal, Lambrechts put the ball on the spot when Sayyadmanesh went to the ground in the penalty area. However, the replay made it clear that the Iranian himself stumbled. After the intervention of the VAR, Lambrechts rightly reversed his decision.
After the break, Westerlo continued the good trend, but the Gamecocks forgot to close the game early. Both Sayyadmanesh and Frigan decided right on Devriendt. However, the Croat was hindered in his attempt by Cools. Lambrechts waved away the Kempen protest, but moments later was called to the screen again by the VAR. This time the ball did hit the spot. Sayyadmanesh sent Devriendt the wrong way: 2-0.
As difficult as Westerlo played football at the beginning of the match, things now ran so smoothly. Mebude and Frigan both had the 3-0 at their feet, but still missed an opportunity that could not be missed. With the courage of desperation Dender tried to fight his way into the match. Van Langendonck was only tested again in added time. However, the second clean sheet of the season was expertly achieved.
Westerlo thus records its first league victory at home since August 10 and jumps over Dender and Anderlecht to a provisional sixth place in the rankings. After a bad period, peace can return to Het Kuipje.
Photo: BELGIAN
