Just like last season, STVV kept the 0-0 on the board in Charleroi in March. Thanks to a good organization, little was given away by the Canaries, although the VAR had to offer help twice. First for an alleged penalty, then to disallow a home goal.
One change was in store for Eward Still for the game against his ex-club. Guillaume Gillet was allowed to start the match against Ostend, but that honor was now reserved for Ali Gholizadeh. Bernd Hollerbach started with the eleven who also kicked off against AA Gent. So with Junior Pius in the team. The German coach of the Canaries did not adjust his system and gave the Nigerian another chance in defense, given Buatu’s injury.
Supported by the twelfth man, Charleroi took matters into his own hands. The study round lasted ten minutes, a bad pass from – yes – Junior Pius was the basis of the first chance for the home team. And immediately a good opportunity, it seemed. Pius himself tackled the cross that followed: hands and penalty, referee Visser judged. VAR Dierick called Visser to the screen, in the end it was decided that a corner kick was enough. Pius and Hollerbach heaved a sigh of relief.
Dessoleil just next to
Charleroi took courage from the situation. A falling ball after a free kick ended up in the feet of ex-Canarie Dessoleil, the defender aimed his left just next to the cage of goalkeeper Daniël Schmidt. At the same time, Wolke Janssens had a hard time on his right flank, luckily for STVV Kayembe and co were unable to take advantage in the first phase of the match.
It was possible for STVV to keep the organization, but it was more difficult to do the injections yourself. It was stiff in the switch forward. Putting Mboyo or Koita into position was hardly possible. Only an attempt by Brüls from the second line kept goalkeeper Koffi awake. Fortunately the confidence of Pius grew, a cunning ball from Morioka in the street he successfully stopped with life and limb. STVV continued to have a hard time in the duels, while AA Gent was put over the knee on the basis of those strong duels. In the meantime, Sint-Truiden could again count on the Hazard antics of Brüls in possession of the ball, he provided the necessary breathing space towards peace.
Koita’s loss of possession led to the first opportunity for the Zebras after coffee, this time Durkin tackled well. Hollerbach immediately intervened and opted for Balongo instead of STVV’s only summer purchase. Charleroi pressed the accelerator, in the counterattack Balongo cleverly tested Koffi’s fists. Still fired on his men, the long shots became more numerous, but for the time being they went over Schmidt’s cage.
Disallowed goal
Considering the meager bench, it was curious to see if Hollerbach had anything else in store. Morioka got some freedom in the back of the STVV defence, spooned perfectly over Schmidt towards Nicholson who could put in. Once again, fortunately for STVV, there was a VAR, the party was cancelled, the verdict was offside.
As the lock neared, the Canaries gradually began to believe in a stunt. Hollerbach didn’t think it was necessary to switch. Matsubara advanced along and made a good cross. The ball was almost deflected into its own goal by the home defense. Brüls claimed the ball between the lines, physically the STVV players showed that they were trained by the strict Hollerbach regime during the preparation.
In the meantime the fat was gradually running out of the soup at Charleroi, only Morioka remained lurking. Janssens was put in the wind one more time, Kayembe was indeed flagged for offside. Once Matsubara anticipated badly, Schmidt intervened well. A very strong Lavalée and Brüls continued to direct STVV to result. All in all a deserved point for Sint-Truiden.
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