Royal Antwerp FC has made an excellent start to its busy schedule of 7 matches in 23 days. The Great Old went on to win 0-1 in Eupen, an important three-pointer to embellish the meager 8-18 interim report. The first clean sheet and the debut of Samatta were also pleasing to Priske and his followers. The only damper on the Antwerp joy was the failure of Engels.
The smell of freshly prepared sauerkraut, fans on the home and visitor benches. The distant trip to the East Cantons is again a lot more charming than in the corona season.
Two goals, two offside
The first half between Eupen and Antwerp also had a lot going on, although nothing changed in the score. Eupen nevertheless scored twice, via Prevljak and Nuhu. The goal was disallowed twice for narrow offside. In the first phase Bataille suffered a clumsy loss of the ball, which resulted in the ban lightning of his teammates. Nuhu knocked over De Laet at the second offside goal. A mistake that referee Van Damme had not noticed. In addition, De Laet received a yellow card for protest.
Van Damme claimed the leading role a second time. He first gave Nainggolan – who took over number 4 from the absent Seck – rightly yellow when he took the sting out of a Eupene counter. Why Miyoshi, the goodness itself, also got a yellow cardboard shoved under the nose in the ensuing tumult, was anyone’s guess. The fatherly way in which Fischer held the face of the Japanese spoke volumes.
What did Antwerp oppose to this? A clever attack through the ashes, with Frey sending Miyoshi deep. The playmaker aimed a meter wide. The tandem Fischer-Bataille also set up a great campaign. Miyoshi’s defenses, who let Fischer kick better, were below par. At that time Priske had already made a forced substitution. After a sprint duel with Prevljak, Engels signaled for the bench. The West Flemish felt for the left calf and was unable to continue. Sour for English, who had worked towards this level for a long time. He expressed his frustration with a firm kick against the billboards. The Portuguese Almeida thus came between the lines.
Number 8 for Frey
After the coffee Eupen came out of the dressing room best. N’Dri was still a scourge for Buta, who had to shift into top gear to keep up with the Ivorian. Butez then went flat again on a cunning shot by Kayembe.
When Antwerp went to goal for the first time after the break, Van Damme put the ball on the spot. Agbadou hooked Frey, who took the penalty himself. In two times, the Golden Bull pushed his eighth of the season against the ropes. The five hundred fans who traveled with them couldn’t believe their luck.
Priske intervened after the 0-1, and brought in newcomer Samatta for Benson. As a result, he switched his system to a classic 4-4-2. RAFC was in a much better position from an organizational point of view, although Peeters and Prevljak still came close to scoring the equalizer. On the other side, Fischer had the 0-2 at the foot a few times. Antwerp kept the frugal lead, and climbs with an 8 out of 18 to a provisional tenth place. The focus can now resolutely turn to Thursday’s European move. Then Antwerp opens its Europa League group at the Greek Olympiacos.
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