KV Mechelen immediately took control of the game and patiently searched for the opening goal. At the first good chance, we had to wait until minute 30, but it was immediately worth it. Storm pushed the ball in front of the goal, Teixeira’s interception was insufficient, as a result of which Cuypers gave the visitors the lead from an oblique angle.
STVV’s response was not long in coming. After a good combination between Konaté and Klauss, the first one was able to hit, but Thoelen – the replacement for the injured Coucke – saved. A few moments later, Van Drongelen held his breath for a moment. The Malinwa defender took down the broken Hayashi. Referee Put ‘only’ drew yellow. The VAR called Put to the screen, but the 33-year-old Limburger stuck to his decision. Just before the halftime whistle, Hairemans missed the 0-2 eye to eye with Schmidt.
STVV took more initiative after the break. Just like in the first half, the first good scoring opportunity was immediately hit. Hara painted the ball to the far post where Klauss rammed the leather into goal in one time through the crossbar, 1-1 and repeating everything.
The home side pushed on. Substitute Wolke Janssens kicked just wide from just outside the sixteen. Referee Put did not whistle a penalty after Vanlerberghe tackled Hara. The VAR also did not budge. In stoppage time, Thoelen saved another attempt by Kagawa.
Mechelen offered very little in return and could not lay claim to a three-pointer. Fun fact: with this draw, Union is now mathematically certain of a place in the Champions’ play-offs.
