STVV lost on the field to competitor Charleroi for a third time in a row. The Canaries had few or no scoring opportunities until the final quarter. Bertaccini's tying goal came too late. Sint-Truiden has a score of 1 in 15 and sees the competition creating a dangerous gap in the rankings.
The STVV core was plagued by germs last week, Ogawa did not make the match sheet and was replaced by Vanwesemael as expected. Ito started on the couch. STVV brought back captain Godeau and top scorer Bertaccini to the team. For coach Mazzu it was a warm reunion with the home supporters, his name was chanted.
The Canaries started the game enthusiastically, with a quick free kick for Brahimi. Goalkeeper Koné had a lot of difficulty with it on a wet turf. It would be the most dangerous feat for the Haspengouwers before half time. Charleroi itself immediately responded with a counter-attack. Vanwesemael left space in the back. It was Petris who was able to fire on Kokubo. The Japanese goalkeeper was well positioned. The tone was immediately set.
Charleroi remained dangerous from a quick transition. Fujita surrendered too easily, causing the Zebras to counter quickly again. Kokubo needed a leg sweep to deflect a kick from Stulic. Sint-Truiden found it increasingly difficult to keep the sharp home midfielders off the ball. Zorgane also got into position halfway through the first half. Once again Kokubo had to make a cat jump to avoid the 1-0. Together with Bernier, Zorgane made the leather elusive at times, including on STVV's sixteen. And while Bertaccini was not put into position at all at the other end, Guiagon Patris and co showed stars with his dribbling. The Ivorian's attempt went wide. It was still 0-0 after half an hour, and STVV got away with that very well.
Miss Godeau punished
Mat and ball remained difficult to play. Godeau was the first Canary to fatally eat it. He wanted to knock away an innocent cross with his right hand, but kicked completely wide of the ball, allowing Heymans to easily deviate past Kokubo. The goalkeeper had no recourse against this. A deserved lead for Charleroi, but a very clumsy giveaway from the Truiense camp.
STVV had to respond, and tried to, but Bertaccini's frustrations were already piling up. Brahimi was able to print once, the ball just missed flying out of the stadium. A cross from Patris followed the same trajectory. The match was almost completely decided in stoppage time of the first half. Stulic was hit with a ball and finished. Van Damme whistled for offside. The VAR needed a few minutes, but confirmed. Did we still get a game after half time?
Ferrari to the side
Mazzu let Ferrari in, Ito strengthened the midfield. Bertaccini was now played as a deep striker. The first chance was again for Bernier. He still got into position between two or three STVV players, but the ball went just wide. STVV saw stars again. Patris had a difficult opponent in Mbenza, Heymans had remained in the dressing room injured.
When Petris started the engine on the right flank, it was over for STVV. Ito let his man run. Titraoui was able to calmly push Patris's pass into the net: 2-0. Meanwhile, Mazzu is worried on the sidelines because a substitution went wrong. Not Yamamoto had to leave, but Brahimi. That also went wrong for Mazzu.
Bertaccini laat you
STVV insisted for a moment. Bertaccini kicked a free kick wide and Delpupo aimed the post. It was not enough to make a fist, although Bertaccini still scored the tying goal after a cross from Ito in the final minute. The goodwill in injury time came too late. Due to this new defeat of STVV, Mazzu's men see the competition making a gap at the bottom of the rankings. Third loss in a row and 1 in 15, the Canaries have to worry.
CHARLEROI: Koné, Petris, Ousou, Keita, Dragsnes, Zorgane, Titraoui, Bernier, Heymans, Guiagon, Stulic.
STVV: Kokubo – Van Helden, Belaïd, Godeau – Patris, Fujita, Yamamoto, Vanwesemael – Brahimi, Bertaccini, Ferrari.
Replacements: 46' Ferrari by Ito, 46' Heymans by Mbenza, 70' Yamamoto by Dumont, 70' Belaïd by Delpupo, 78' Brahimi by Mbalanda, 81' Bernier by Rogelj, 87' Stulic by Sylla, 87' Vanwesemael by Nhaili, 93' Guiagon by Sow.
Goals: 37' Heymans 1-0, 53' Titraoui 2-0, 90' Bertaccini 2-1.
Yellow cards: Dragsnes (foul), Patris (foul).
Referee: Kevin Van Damme. (gus)
