NO CUP GLORY FOR BEERSCHOT THIS SEASON
BEERSCHOT – KV MECHELEN 0 – 1
No trip to the Koning Boudewijnstadion later this season for Beerschot. No more hope to reach the FA Cup final. Just like last Sunday during the Antwerp derby our Mannekes didn’t get into their stride and missed the drive and determination to qualify for the quarter final of the Croky Cup. KV Mechelen were the better team tonight and just needed the odd goal from Schoofs on the stroke of half time to win this cup tie. Black Thursday for Beerschot who can make amends this Sunday during the league match against the same opponents.
The visitors were more eager and started strongly, dominated in midfield and threatened from the wings. And when Schoofs looked like scoring with a header from a cross of Bijker Frans cleared on the line. Beerschot created just the one scoring opportunity in a disappointing first half after a long rush from Holzhauser but Halaimia’s shot missed the power to challenge goalkeeper Coucke.
The game missed dash and quality, the football was poor with a sloppy build up and hardly any chances. Untill five minutes before the break when Kabore’s cross from the right found Schoofs at the far post for an easy header. Nice goal from KV Mechelen but too easily conceded. The visitors looked to double the score just a bit later but Peyre missed from three yards out. Mike Vanhamel saved his first shot and saw the rebound fly over. What a lucky escape.
Beerschot tried a bit harder in the second half but again it was KV Mechelen that enforced the better scoring opportunities. A low drive from Defour –and the possible 2-0 – ended against the post.
Eleke had two good chances just after the hour, both from a Holzhauser corner, but saw his shot and header blocked by Coucke and the defense… and in the remaining time and despite bringing on more attacking power with Suzuki and Sanyang only Coulibaly could threaten with a shot on goal. Not good enough however to claim a place in this year’s FA Cup quarter final.
ATTENDANCE: 0
REFEREE: Van Damme
GOALS: 41’ Schoofs 0-1
BEERSCHOT: Vanhamel, Halaimia (79’ Sanyang), Prychynenko (79’ Radic), Frans, Van den Bergh, Vorogovskiy (58’ Bourdin), Pietermaat (64’ Suzuki), Sanusi, Coulibaly, Holzhauser, Eleke
KV MECHELEN: Coucke, Bijker, Heiremans (85’ Druijf), De Camargo, Schoofs, Mirabti (69’ Storm), Peyre, Kabore, Vanlerberghe, Vranckx, Defour (74’ Kaya)
YELLOW CARDS: Van den Bergh, Prychynenko, Kaya, Kabore
RED CARDS: none
By Danny Geerts
