Until the 85th minute it seemed that the “big derby” would finish in a dreary 0-0 draw. Wrong assumption. All highlights and goals were summarized in the final 300 seconds of the game. And in the end it was Antwerp that clinched a flattered victory.
Beerschot started strongly with good combinations in which an infiltrating Dom and Holzhauser played a vital part, but goalkeeper Beiranvand hardly had an important save to make. Our visitors from Deurne opted for counter football and threatened a couple of times. Our defense – where new signing Stipe Radic made his debut instead of the suspended Prychynenko - didn’t give anything away.
For most of the time the game was in lockdown, lacked passion, highlights and excitement. As there were no shots on target in the first half the 0-0 score was both obvious and logical.
The second half was more adventurous with a good scoring opportunity for Fré Frans, after an inch perfect corner from Holzhauser but Beiranvand palmed away the header from our central defender. Unfortunately this wasn’t the start of a spectacular period. Both teams remained faithful to their “safety first” and “slow build up” approach, which resulted in a shortage of amusement and quality football.
Antwerp now took control in midfield but the better chance was for Beerschot, when Bourdin was put through by Holzhauser but his shot too feeble to threaten Beiranvand.
Five minutes from the end the visitors decided the game with two goals in three minutes’ time. First a header by “bad boy” Lamkel Zé, then a low shot from Gerkens. Two cold showers. Beerschot responded a minute later with a headed goal from Fré Frans… put everyone forward in search of the equaliser. Came close… but no cigar.
ATTENDANCE: 0
REFEREE: Lardot
GOALS: 84’ Lamkel Zé 0-1, 87’ Gerkens 0-2, 89’ Frans 1-2
BEERSCHOT: Vanhamel, , Dom (90’ Halaimia), Frans, Van den Bergh, Radic (90+2 Mukuna), Bourdin, Pietermaat, Sanusi, Holzhauser, Sanyang (73’ Eleke), Suzuki
ANTWERP: Beiranvand, Seck, Gélin, De Laet, Verstraete, De Pauw, Hongla, Lukaku, Gerkens, Refaelov (90+3’ Batubinsika), Lamkel Zé (90’ Avenatti)
YELLOW CARDS: Pietermaat, Van den Bergh, Sanyang, De Laet, Bourdin, Lamkel Ze, Refaelov
