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Not a sigh, but a whirlwind of relief blew through the Westels Kuipje on Saturday evening around ten past. Westerlo recorded its first win of the season against KV Kortrijk and passes the red lantern to the West Flemish. In the final phase, Westerlo got through the eye of the needle after Kadri’s equalizer was disallowed for offside.
No limits, no surrender.’ The message from the Western fans before the start of the relegation match against KV Kortrijk was clear. However, the Gamecocks hit their limits during the first half hour. Jonas De Roeck had opted for a reinforced attack with the trio Matsuo-Daci-Stassin, but the offensive pawns were barely put into position. A double attempt by Stassin – blocked and high over goal – was the rare achievement.
Vintage Westerlo
At the back, Westerlo had a hard time with the high pressure from the visitors. Kadri and El-Idrissy were put into position twice after lax defending, and twice Bolat fell flat. In between, Kana aimed a headed chance wide.
At the end of the first half a ripe apple fell from the cupboard. A quick Kempen counter-punch via Reynolds and Stassin ended up back at the American’s feet after a long one-two. He maintained an overview and operated the detached Daci. The North Macedonian did not hesitate and shot the 1-0 against the ropes from the corner. A flattered lead, but vintage Westerlo. Still, if we base ourselves on the flashy yellow and blue of last season. For Daci it was his first goal since July last year.
© BELGIUM
Westerlo gained confidence and looked for a second goal before half time, but a new shot through Reynolds was played out poorly. An overconfident Daci aimed the last chance in added time over the Kortrijk cage.
No second for Daci
After the break, Westerlo resolutely took control of the match, although it initially came away unscathed. El-Idrissy rounded Bolat and put the ball into the empty goal, but the Frenchman was flagged for offside.
On the other hand, the home team forgot to finish the match. In two minutes, Daci had two chances to double the lead. The first attempt he hit from a shovel straight at Vandenberghe. He should have always finished the second one. The 25-year-old striker only scored for the Kortrijk goalkeeper. In between, the visitors broke out in a sweat again with a quick counter-punch, but Matsuo forgot to keep an overview and got stuck too easily.
The misses almost cost Westerlo dearly, but in the final phase Jonas De Roeck’s team crawled through the eye of the needle. After a corner kick, Kadri curled the ball through a bunch of players in the far corner past Bolat, but after VAR intervention the goal was again disallowed for offside by the Algerian on a shot by Ojo.
Red Lantern moves to Kortrijk
With her buttocks clenched, Westerlo scored the first three-pointer of the season. The red lantern moves back to KV Kortrijk, in the Kempen they can go into the international break with a good feeling and prepare the next game against RWDM.
© BELGIUM
2023-10-07 18:10:23
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