KV Mechelen still strikes in a chaotic final phase: Touba causes another bitter loss of points for Union

Besnik Hasi surprised by choosing a team without trendsetters Lauberbach and Pflücke. Raman appeared at the kick-off for the third time this season. KV Mechelen left the initiative to Union in the initial phase. The people of Brussels took advantage of this to put appropriate pressure on KV’s three-man defense, which could not always play football around it. David – in the starting line-up for the second time in a row after his goals in Eupen – did everything he could to make life difficult for Touba and co. However, it resulted in no more than a cross shot that went far wide.

Malinwa let things go, but generally retained control. It tried to force something in the transition. Raman is the type of striker who is constantly on the move, but many of his running lines were wasted efforts because his teammates could not reach him. Moris had a quiet first half with three towers in front of them ruling the sky.

Lapoussin in the base

On the left, Pocognoli had dropped Lapoussin into the starting line-up. The prodigal son only trained with the A-squad for the first time on Tuesday after a months-long banishment to the B-squad. He came on in Eupen and was already at the kick-off in his second match. The Malgassian did not disappoint. He adds a dose of pure quality to this Union. With a long pass to Ivanovic he lured Touba into making a mistake. The ball was just hard enough to make him hesitate and he slid on the edge of the box. Ivanovic just tapped the ball away and then went down over the leg of the Mechelen defender. Not smart, especially because Ivanovic could never score from that position.

Bert Put had no choice but to point to the dot. Just like in Eupen, David converted the eleven meter flawlessly. KVM did not immediately respond wittily, although there was still a moment for Belghali. He dived into Lapoussin’s back, cut in cleverly, but then kicked high over.

Raman drops 1-1

Hasi retraced his steps at half-time and brought Ouattara on for Lauberbach. KV came up. Captain Schoofs – who played his 250th game for the club – set the tone. Raman first kicked Moris and moments later had another huge opportunity. This time Burgess was on the line and he kicked the ball out of the goal via the crossbar. Union escaped the equalizer and had to gasp for breath. Pocognoli’s eleven no longer managed to keep the ball within their own ranks. Mechelen dominated and at Union it was all hands on deck.

Mechelen had to slow down the pace again just after the hour mark. Union mainly limited itself to defending its lead, although some transition moments did not work out well. The final offensive that the home team brought to the table was not convincing enough to achieve anything. Although Lauberbach still had a vital chance in injury time, he kicked over from one meter away. Some KV fans then threw some cups on the field and with 2 minutes and 13 seconds of injury time to go, Bert Put sent everyone in. Then the inevitable happened. On an extended corner kick, Touba tapped in from close range to make it 1-1.

KV still took that one point that it was more than entitled to. Union was once again left orphaned. It picked up something Achter de Kazerne for the first time since its return to first, but still had three points in hand until the very last seconds. The Unionists will not make any progress with a draw.

KV MECHELEN: Dewolf – Raemaekers (86′ Picks), Touba, Marsa – Belghali, Schoofs, Ouattara (46′ Lauberbach), Foulon – Mrabti, Storm (71′ Bafdili) – Raman (71′ Dahl).

UNION: Moris – Sykes, Burgess, Machida – Niang, Lazare (61′ Van De Perre), Vanhoutte, Sadiki, Lapoussin – Ivanovic (75′ Rodriguez), David (61′ Fuseini).

Goals: 0-1 David (20′), 1-1 Touba (95′).

Yellow cards: Niang, Lazare, Touba, Marsa, Burgess, Mrabti, Van De Perre.

Spectators: 13.435.

Referee: Bert Put.