Both KV Mechelen and OH Leuven did not get off to a flying start in the Jupiler Pro League. The penultimate and third last respectively in the standings had an excellent opportunity to crawl out of the basement of the rankings in a mutual duel.
Marc Brys, Leuven’s trainer, was constantly talking about “return” this week, but it was his team that collided with a deadly efficient Mechelen in an amusing first half. After eight minutes Nikola Storm – with a great move – immediately converted the first big chance into a goal.
OH Leuven did not give in and took over. Their enthusiasm provided a cartload of opportunities, but the torinic instinct at Leuven’s front line remains missing. For example, De Sart – one and a half meters from the goal – kicked the ball wide.
The hyper-efficient Mechelen thanked De Sart and co and stood ready with the lid on the nose. It was Mrabti who was sent pretty deep by defender Bateau. The Swedish attacker plucked the ball from the air and outwitted the (too) far out Romo: 2-0.
The second half was less attractive. Before the break, OHL played moderate football, but it did create a lot of opportunities. After the break, their game was better, but the opportunities were largely absent.
KV Mechelen always nipped Mercier and co’s last ball in the bud with sterile pressure. The frustrations in the end ran high. The pots boiled over and Chakla was awarded red after a bold tackle on Bijker.
KV Mechelen thus takes an important step forward in the standings and – after the disgrace against Anderlecht (7-2) – it is once again in good graces with the home crowd. OH Leuven, on the other hand, is left with a new blow. It is already the 10th away game in a row without success for the withemden.
