KV Kortrijk faced another painful defeat on Saturday evening, losing 0-3 to Dender at the Guldensporenstadion. This loss continues to keep Kortrijk at the lower end of the standings, with only 18 points to their name, raising mounting concerns about their season.
The clash was pivotal for Kortrijk as they aimed to stay off the bottom, yet it was Dender who seized immediate control of the match. Just 15 minutes in, Dender’s Mohamed Berte found the back of the net with a powerful header, giving the visitors the lead at 0-1. This goal was the product of defensive lapses by Kortrijk’s captain João Silva, who failed to mark Berte properly. Unable to recover from this early setback, Kortrijk’s situation swiftly worsened two minutes later. Silva’s defensive mistakes continued, which allowed Aurélien Scheidler to lift the ball over goalkeeper Tom Vandenberghe’s head, doubling Dender’s lead to 0-2.
By the time the halftime whistle blew, Kortrijk was left reeling. Moments before the break, Scheidler struck again, scoring from close range following another defensive error — this time on corner duty. The scoreboard read 0-3, putting Kortrijk’s hopes of salvaging any points effectively out of reach before the second half even began.
Coach Freyr Alexandersson’s team had shown some spirit following their previous narrow loss to Genk, where they narrowly lost 3-2. But the match against Dender was markedly different. After the thrashing at home, the Kortrijk supporters were vocal about their frustrations, holding up banners reading “Freyr out,” reflecting the growing dissatisfaction with Alexandersson’s management.
Despite the scoreline, Kortrijk attempted to rally after the break. They came out with more intent, but it was evident the odds were stacked against them. A rare hint of danger came from Abdelkahar Kadri, who dived to create opportunities but faced obstacles at every turn. Tragically, Kadri, the team’s creative force and standout player, suffered what seemed to be a serious knee injury late on. He had to be stretchered off, leaving fans concerned about his availability moving forward.
With Kortrijk creating little to no significant chances after the initial flurry from Dender, the team’s lackluster performance left supporters frustrated. They had little to show for their efforts and struggled to find any rhythm throughout the game.
Dender’s defense held firm, easily managing the threats from Kortrijk’s attackers, with goalkeeper Verrips facing little to no challenging shots on goal. The visitors appeared content to sit back and soak up the pressure. They effectively parked the bus and ensured they maintained their commanding lead, marking their second consecutive victory and moving them up to temporary eighth place, which is quite the feat.
This loss for Kortrijk poses serious questions about the future stability of the club as they continue to linger at the lower end of the table. The imminent danger of relegation looms larger than ever, as there are no signs of improvement amid consistent defensive errors and front-line impotence.
Post-match comments from Alexandersson indicated his awareness of the precarious position. “No, I do not fear for my position as coach of KV Kortrijk,” he insisted, showing defiance but also acknowledging the stakes involved. It’s clear the pressure is mounting, with the supporters expecting results fast.
Looking forward, Kortrijk may need to come away with victories soon if they hope to turn their season around. With upcoming matches looming, particularly against lower-ranked teams, it’s going to take grit and determination as they try to stave off the relegation zone.
The loss to Dender was not just another score— it was another chapter of disappointment for Kortrijk. The injury to Kadri adds to their woes, and with only weeks left to salvage their season, the club finds itself at a crossroads.
