After a very exciting final day of the regular competition, Lierse Kempenzonen and RSCA Futures have qualified last for the promotion Play-Offs. The RSCA talents saddled Deinze with a serious hangover after a comeback in the Dakota Arena.
The last day of the regular competition in the Challenger Pro League was one to lick your fingers and thumbs off. No fewer than four teams qualified for two spots in the Champion Play-Offs. Were certainly there: RWDM, SK Beveren, Beerschot and Club NXT. Beforehand, Lommel and Lierse were in pole position for the other two coveted places, but they did play a duel in the Soevereinstadion. Deinze and RSCA Futures could possibly benefit from this, they also competed against each other in the Dakota Arena.
Lierse efficiency puts Lommel firmly in front of the block
Lierse got off to a dream start in the Sovereinstadion, after less than ten minutes of play, Schouterden painted a corner kick on the head of Raemaekers, who knocked out a scrambling Ivezic: 0-1. Lommel reacted almost immediately on the other side with a great action and shot from Martinez, goalkeeper De Smet cleverly got the ball out of the corner. The Pallieters had an extremely efficient first twenty minutes. After a new fumbling from the Lommel goalkeeper, Van Acker was allowed to aim from about twenty meters and his shot disappeared wonderfully into the top corner: 0-2 and the promotion Play-Offs already seemed largely in Lierse hands.
It must be said that the Limburgers were also not lucky in the first period. A handball from Pupe went unnoticed by the referee trio and a solid shot from Vancsa died a silent death on the crossbar. In a match with a lot of chances, De Schryver almost gave his team a triple lead after half an hour, his attempt from close range was saved by defender Lemoine. The home team then had a few more chances for the connection goal and a goal was still disallowed due to very doubtful offside. Halfway through, Van Imschoot and co were allowed to go to the dressing room with a broad smile.
At Lierse they can already dream of a number of fun matches in the Champion Play-Offs halfway through.
Deinze seems to give a fairytale comeback a fitting end
A little further on, Deinze’s Tigers also fought for what they were worth and that also resulted in an early goal. Just before fifteen minutes, a ball was thrown from the right in front of goal and Schuermans headed the home team into a 1-0 lead. The East Flemings often had to leave possession to the young Purple & White talents afterwards, but they didn’t get too many chances from that. Just before half-time there were suddenly two great opportunities for Deinze: De Belder cut in well, but his attempt flew just wide of the wrong side of the post and moments later goalkeeper Vanhoutte kept his team straight through a deviation from teammate N’Diaye. feline from his target. Halfway through, Grosjean’s team seemed to settle among the ‘big boys’.
Schuermans puts his team ahead and virtually in the highest Play-Offs.
Mature Lierse fends off Lommel
Lommel had a lot of work ahead of him after the break and pressed hard in the opening phase. That did not yield great opportunities for the time being, on the other side Tabekou kicked the first ball between the posts after ten minutes of play. Just before the hour, De Smet also had to make a save when Vancsa’s shot was too weak. For the time being, it did not seem as if the Limburgers had a solid comeback in their legs.
The home team continued to fight bravely afterwards, but a strong defensive Lierse barely gave away a chance. Ten minutes from the end, Martinez’s placed shot narrowly missed the wrong side of the post. On the other side, another attempt by Vekemans hit the target wood. In the end it stayed with that 0-2 and that is more than enough to send the Pallieters towards the promotion Play-Offs.
Van Imschoot does it with his team: a place in the top six is a certainty.
Deinze goes from heaven to hell
In the Dakota Arena, Deinze had to survive one half to achieve an absolute miracle, Grosjean’s team was last when the T1 took over and could now actually open the gate towards the first six. Via De Belder, Deinze also took a double lead early on, his hard bang was well parried by Vanhoutte. Moments later, however, the game took a fairly dramatic turn for the home team: Almenara took a second yellow card (schwalbe) in an extremely stupid way by dropping after a tackle from N’Diaye. The Tigers had to continue with one man less for more than half an hour.
Just before the hour, the Futures almost took advantage of that man more situation, but Miras saved the furniture with a tight shot from Lissens. Not much later it was a hit for the visitors: substitute De Wilde got the ball in the sixteen meters and with an angle shot he hung the boards right again. At this position, Lommel would still end up in the top six. However, that scenario did not last long, the Purple & White talents pushed on and top scorer Stassin gave his team a 1-2 lead with a placed shot in the far corner. It was not over yet in a spectacular match, with fifteen minutes to go Schryvers actually made it 2-2 with a striking header. Both teams had to win and eventually there would also be a winner: Angulo pulled the trigger five minutes from the end and shot the 2-3 wonderfully in the far corner. For example, the young talents of Anderlecht can join Lierse towards the promotion Play-Offs after a great game of football in the Dakota Arena.
Score progress Lommel-Lierse:
Score progress Deinze-RSCA Futures:
1-0 (13′) Schuermans, 1-1 (63′) De Wilde, 1-2 (66′) Stassin, 2-2 (76′) Schryvers, 2-3 (85′) Angulo
SL 16 FC-Club NXT: 0-0
