Club Brugge is in the last eight in the cup, but that did not happen automatically against Stijn Stijnen’s Patro Eisden. Vanaken’s individual class made the difference. With a goal and an assist, he put Patro aside.
However, the ideal scenario seemed to quickly unfold for Club Brugge in the Municipal Sportpark Stadium of Maasmechelen. While the visiting fans were still nibbling on the fries that Stijn Stijnen treated the away section to, Belin was already allowed to turn around. Onyedika with the quick free kick, Tzolis who saw space and played appropriately deep for Nielsen. The Dane was able to escape on his own and scored in the short corner.
87 percent ball possession
Club had everything completely in order in that initial phase. After 18 minutes they had 87 (!) percent of the ball possession. Hayen may have made six changes to his starting eleven, but with Vanaken, Tzolis, Onyedika and De Cuyper, among others, there was more than enough individual class on the field to easily advance to the quarter-finals.
With that early lead, Club was able to start playing football from control. Patro Eisden failed to keep the ball in his own ranks. Stijnen’s game plan seemed to consist mainly of long balls towards Bammens and Vanrafelghem, not an immediate success formula.
Photo: BELGIAN
Yet the Limburgers found a way back into the match. Jackers did not make the best turn. A back pass from Mechele made him doubt. He tried a lob towards Mechele, but could not get his toes under the ball. Bammens took him away and laid it back for Van Eenoo, who shot in hard.
Nielsen kicked the crossbar again and home goalkeeper Belin – who could easily have been Dany Verlinden’s son – knocked Talbi’s header out of his goal. So it remained at 1-1 at half time. Slightly alarming, Patro’s turf had already seriously deteriorated. Moving the ball around smoothly did not become easier in the second half. No advantage for FCB of course.
Yet Vanaken gave Club the lead immediately after the break. On a corner kick from De Cuyper, he was allowed to nod in completely free-standing from inside the small rectangle. A piece of cake for Vanaken who scored his eleventh cup goal.
Photo: BELGIAN
Now play it out quietly? The score easily could and perhaps should have increased for Club. Tzolis did not finish precisely enough. Vermant headed onto the crossbar. Patro shivered, but remained alive.
Club wandered around a bit and that gave Patro opportunities. Bammens, Vanrafelghem and Dansoko were allowed to play, but Jackers did not have to take action. Stijnen paced nervously in front of his couch.
Clear view Vanaken
The match continued to fade away and mutated into a real cup match with many duels, but mainly sloppy football. Club did not have the urge to completely close the match. They did not diligently look for that third goal. However, more and more players at Patro were catching their breath.
Hayen had already made four substitutions, but he had left Vanaken behind. His clear view ultimately decided the match. Measured through ball to Jashari who put the 1-3 on the board from the corner. Hans Vanaken did everything but turn his nose up at that annoying trip to the Maasland. Without going all out, he made the difference with his vision and pure passing.
Stijnen immediately responded with two substitutions, but the Limburgers could not recover from that blow. Blauw-zwart had enough 90 minutes to convert further, without too much loss of energy and with an extra day of rest towards the next match, away at KV Mechelen.
FATHER EISDEN: Belin – Dijkhuizen (82′ Ndior), Renson, Borry, Kis – Abid (77′ Kiankaulua), Wilmots (82′ Simba), Van Eenoo, Dansoko – Vanrafelghem, Bammens.
CLUB BRUGES: Jackers – Sabbe, Mechele, Romero, De Cuyper (66′ Seys) – Nielsen (76′ Vetlesen), Onyedika (67′ Jashari), Vanaken – Talbi, Vermant, Tzolis (76′ Skoras).
Goals: 0-1 Nielsen 13′ (Tzolis), 1-1 Van Eenoo 31′ (Bammens), 1-2 Vanaken 48′ (De Cuyper), 1-3 Jashari (Vanaken) 81′.
Yellow cards: Kis, Vanaken, Skoras. Referee: Lothar D’Hondt. Spectators: 6.500.
