Dender has made headlines with their recent 3-0 victory over KV Kortrijk, marking another tough defeat for the struggling home team. The match, held at the Guldensporenstadion on a cold winter evening, saw Dender capitalize on Kortrijk’s defensive errors to secure the win and improve their position in the league.
From the kickoff, it was clear both sides needed points. Dender, buoyed by prior success, came out strong against Kortrijk, who had hoped to build on their recent performance against Genk. The home team’s only alteration was the inclusion of De Neve, replacing Dewaele, as coach Alexandersson aimed to inspire his team after their previous strong showing.
Unfortunately for Kortrijk, disaster struck just fifteen minutes in. João Silva, the central defender, made two blunders within as many minutes, allowing Berte to head Dender’s first goal past keeper Vandenberghe. This early setback only seemed to rattle Kortrijk, and their attempts to regain composure were thwarted almost immediately, as Scheidler doubled Dender’s lead shortly after.
A peculiar drop in performance rose alarms as João Silva lost track of his assignments, leaving glaring gaps for Dender to exploit. A smart counter-attack saw Scheidler capitalizing on another defensive mix-up, deftly lifting the ball over Vandenberghe. Dender’s display was ruthless, and Kortrijk was left gasping for breath, needing nothing short of a miraculous rally.
Although Kortrijk attempted to respond with some chances—Kadri fired just over the bar, and De Neve’s effort went wide—the hosts struggled throughout the first half, only adding to the mounting pressure. Late in the half, right before the whistle, Scheidler struck again, hammering home Dender’s third goal. By halftime, the match felt all but decided, with Dender leading comfortably 3-0.
The second half provided little respite for Kortrijk. Their attempts to revitalize the game resulted only in frustration. Silva and Takamine were benched, swapping for fresh legs with hopes of breaking Dender’s tightly knitted defense. Ferri made efforts with long-range strikes, but there was no threatening presence to dent Dender’s solid formation.
Meanwhile, Dender elected to play conservatively, allowing Kortrijk time on the ball without feeling pressured. This tactic proved effective as Kortrijk’s attacks dwindled, reducing to nothing more than friendly fire. They managed to create sporadic chances, but by then, Dender was comfortably defending their lead.
The match took another unfortunate turn when Kortrijk’s key playmaker, Kadri, suffered what appeared to be a serious injury. His departure on a stretcher added insult to injury as Kortrijk’s fans grew increasingly restless, seeing their team’s hopes flicker away.
Cheers greeted the final whistle, signaling Dender’s success and their ascension, at least temporarily, nearer to the middle of the league table—closing the gap to the top six. Conversely, Kortrijk found themselves still deep among the relegation spots, now trailing behind safety with increased pressure on coach Alexandersson.
The defeat highlighted Kortrijk’s continuous issues, particularly the erosion of confidence following each loss. Spectators took to displaying banners, calling for changes within club management, reflecting the rising frustration among the fanbase. With two matches remaining before the winter break, the pressure mounts for Kortrijk to find their footing.
Reflecting on the match, it was evident Dender not only showcased their capabilities for future matches but also illustrated the struggles Kortrijk faces as they seek answers for recovery. With upcoming challenges lying just around the corner, both teams must quickly regroup as the season continues onward.
