KV KORTRIJK - BEERSCHOT 1 - 1
Until the very last minute it looked as if Beerschot were to bag their second win in a row. A penalty goal from Rapha Holzhauser early in the second half had put us 1-0 up, Marius Noubissi was then unlucky when his shot hit the bar... but then came the unhappy ending when Kortrijk scored the equaliser with just seconds left on the clock. So agony in the end for Beerschot after a hard fought, compelling and spectacular game of football. Coach Javier Torrente's team again showed composure, fighting spirit and confidence. One thing is for sure: Beerschot are not dead yet and are slowly closing the gap with Cercle Brugge and the other teams in the relegation zone. The fight for survival is very much on.
Beerschot started courageous and confident with an early opportunity for Shankland. Vaca and Holzhauser had control in midfield but Caicedo and again Shankland couldn't convert. Halfway the first half Kortrijk created three good chances: Selemani with a half volley and a dangerous free kick, Gueye after an impressive raid on the right wing that split open the Beerschot defense. But Vanhamel and Radic saved.
Beerschot reacted well with good midfield play from Holzhauser who set Shankland on its way to the opening goal, but the Scot lacked composure and that wee bit of good fortune to put the ball in the net. Ilic saved in corner. Our defense held off the home team's efforts late in a very entertaining first half. Only De Smet had difficulties on his left wing, picked up a yellow card and came close to a second one.
Coach Javier Torrente took him off during half time, sent on Coulibaly with Dom falling back in defense. It took Beerschot just ten minutes to score the opening goal. With Rapha Holzhauser in a starring role. His right footed shot was turned in corner by Ilic, and seconds later Shankland was elbowed by Gueye inside the box. VAR was consulted and ref Denil awarded a penalty. Right decision. Holzhauser did better than last week against Seraing with a dry and low shot in the left corner.
A couple of minutes later Noubissi had a golden opportunity to double the score but needed too much time to pounce. Time for Kortrijk then to start their all-or-nothing-period. The Beerschot defense was overrun, under a lot of pressure, faltered a couple of times but stood firm in the end with some good goalkeeping work from Vanhamel and with a strong Radic in the centre. On the counter Noubissi looked - again - on his way to that decisive 2-0 but was extremely unlucky when his shot rebounded from the underside of the crossbar. So unfortunate.
It was Kortrijk that had the last laugh in the end as Beerschot conceded an equaliser, just like last season when the game ended in a spectacular 5-5 draw and the home team salvaged a point just before the final whistle. Now it was Selemani who put the ball in the net after two lucky deviations in the box. No second victory for Beerschot but a very well deserved draw.
ATTENDANCE: 5.499
REFEREE: Denil
GOALS: 56' Holzhauser 0-1 (strafschop), 89' Selemani 1-1
KV KORTRIJK: Ilic, Dewaele, Sainsbury, Rougeaux, Palaversa, Selemani, Gueye, Kadri (79' Mbayo), Vandendriessche, Moreno (68' Alioui), Radovanovic
BEERSCHOT: Vanhamel, Halaimia, Radic (90+1' Konstantopoulos), Bourdin, De Smet (46' Coulibaly, 72' Suzuki), Pietermaat, Dom, Caicedo, Holzhauser (90+1' Sanyang), Vaca, Shankland (62' Noubissi)
YELLOW CARDS: Shankland, De Smet, Halaimia, Gueye, Bourdin, Torrente
RED CARDS: none
By Danny Geerts
Photo: Jan Mees
