PRAISE FOR BEERSCHOT BUT STANDARD GO THROUGH

STANDARD - BEERSCHOT  2 - 0  after extra time

Despite being the better team on the night and creating a handful of good scoring opportunities Beerschot were knocked out of the FA Cup on Thursday. Standard made the difference in extra time after our Mannekes failed to score from five clear cut chances during normal time. Goalkeeper Henkinet was the home team's hero with five brilliant saves.

Coach Javier Torrente rested Dom, Van den Bergh, Vaca and Shankland in prospect of Sunday's big derby game against Antwerp, so De Smet, Lemos, Suzuki and Soumaré featured in Beerschot's starting XI. Standard claimed the ball in the first quarter of the game but it was Beerschot that put the pressure on and took over control. Holzhauser and Soumaré got the better chances, but Henkinet palmed away Holzhauser's shot and Soumaré came inches short to tip in a low cross after a free kick. At the other end Vanhamel only had one save to make when Klauss tried his luck.

Beerschot were by far the better team, played well between the lines and stood firm at the back where both Radic and Lemos added grit and composure to the overall performance. Also after the break it was almost one way traffic. But again it was Henkinet who denied Beerschot's well deserved lead with saves from Holzhauser and Soumaré, while Bourdin hit the post. Holzhauser got the best chance to score when he was sent through the Standard defense, aimed for the low vcorner from just ten yards out... but again Henkinet produced a miraculous save. It was there and then that Beerschot should have booked their spot in the Quarter Final of the Belgian FA Cup. Five minutes before the end also Joren Dom came close with a good header... only to be denied by - who else - Henkinet.

In extra time Beerschot got punished for not finishing their chances. First Muleka, with a free header, then Bokadi after a quick break made sure it was Standard that qualified for the next round... and left Beerschot with a bitter taste in their mouth. Disappointment for Beerschot in the end but praise at the same time for their strong team performance  from which they gained confidence for Sunday's derby. We live in hope the balls will go in against Antwerp... 

ATTENDANCE: 3.000
REFEREE: Van Damme
GOALS: 94' Muleka 1-0, 119' Bokadi 2-0
STANDARD: Henkinet, Fai, Sissako, Dussenne, Nkounkou, Cimirot (106' Al-Dakhil), Raskin (59' Bokadi), Carcela (91' Rafia), Dragus (59' Tapsoba), Donnum (74' Pavlovic), Klauss (90' Muleka)
BEERSCHOT: Vanhamel, Halaimia, Radic, Bourdin, De Smet (72' Van den Bergh), Lemos (55' Dom), Pietermaat, Caicedo (97' Mukuna), Holzhauser (72' Vaca), Suzuki (90' Shankland), Soumaré (91' Sebaoui)
YELLOW CARDS: Sissako, Lemos, Dragus, Holzhauser, Dussenne, Tapsoba
RED CARDS: geen

By Danny Geerts
Photo: Jan Mees