Only a draw for Beerschot on Friday night against Anderlecht's youngsters, and that is less than expected. Our Mannekes shot themselves in the foot by missing efficiency in the box, especially in the first half, by missing a handful of golden scoring opportunities.
Beerschot started in overdrive in Dirk Kuyt's first game as new coach and went 1-0 up after just 8 minutes when Michez's cross found Verlinden at the far post. Thibaud put the ball in the Anderlecht net. A perfect start. The first balf was one way traffic towards the visitors' goal but Verlinden, Reyners and Keita didn't take advantage of their chances. Complacency and a lack of efficiency meant Beerschot were just one goal up at half time.
And that turned sour in the second half. RSCA Futures threatened and were awarded a penalty after a questionable foul from Tshimanga and Goto beat Matijas in the low left corner fromthe spot. It was a bitter blow for Sanusi and co who regrouped but had difficulties to recreate the good combination football from the first half. Michez and Verlinden came close but were denied by RSCA goalkeeper Van Houtte. Jerrel Hak, who came on as a sub, missed the biggest chance of all ten minutes from time when he couldn't connect from a low cross.
In the end it was Konstantopoulos who prevented a defeat when he tackled the ball in corner just before Goto was to put the ball home after a quick Anderlecht counter. One-one the final score after a game in which Beerschot forgot to take the three points.
Beerschot: Matijas, Matthys Reyners, Verlinden, Sanusi, Nzita, Tshimanga, Keita (’79 Hak), Cagro, Konstantopoulos, Michez
RSCA: Vanhoutte, Montignies, Baouf, Goto, Masscho, A. Engwanda-Ongena, Moutha, N Engwanda-Ongena, Tajaouart, Diallo
DOELPUNTEN: ‘9 Verlinden (1-0), ’59 Goto (1-1)
