BEERSCHOT – STANDARD 0 – 3
After three good victories Beerschot faced defeat for the first time this season. Maximum points and the leader’s position are no more, but no reason to panic. Standard proved to be a (slightly too) strong opponent in the Olympic Stadium, scoring a first goal in the first half when our boys were still looking to find their best form. After the break, in a period when Tissoudali and Holzhauser had a number of good chances, the team from Liège showed great efficiency and built up their lead to (flattering) 0-3 figures.
Our boys had a difficult first half. Standard’s tactical plan worked perfectly: all paths to match-changing players were skilfully shut down so we couldn’t play our own game. The tempo was also too low to create any threat or danger. The passing game at close quarters (Holzhauser-Tissoudali) was good at times, but moves to the danger zone did not materialise. A long-distance shot by Tissoudali and a ball headed on by Frans was about all that Beerschot could muster.
With both teams starting with a defensive setup and chances being snuffed out it was the defences who easily ruled the day. Too much of the match was a drawn out game of cat and mouse.
Standard gradually started to penetrate, mainly on the wings. The presence and force of the visitors was also superior. After about half an hour an attempt by Cop flew over. Six minutes later the goal went in. A move by Fai-Raskin down the right wing was centred to Avenatti who put the ball in the back of the net. Nil-one, the first time we had been behind this season.
With Halaimia taking Prychynenko’s place and a changed right wing, in the second half Beerschot started looking for openings, space and the equaliser. But the first big chance was for Standard with a dangerous header from Gavory. But Vanhamel’s reflexes saved the day. After about an hour the same player came up with a screamer. It hit the outside of the post. Two scary moments.
Things weren’t going well for Beerschot but Tissoudali came back with a shot that went just wide. Midway in the second half Tarik had a second and better chance but he rashly shot over the top. A pity.
Beerschot went in search of the equaliser and a little later created a unique chance after a nice rush by Halaimia… but Holzhauser hit wide. This was a miss he would live to regret as Lestienne then made the score 0-2. Game over. Efficiency was the key.
In the closing phase substitute Suzuki hit the post, but it was Standard that ultimately rounded things off when Oulare scored a third time at the far post. It was an unflattering score for Beerschot.
SPECTATORS: none
REFEREE: Verboomen
GOALS: 36’ Avenatti 0-1, 76’ Lestienne 0-2, 83’ Oulare 0-3
BEERSCHOT: Vanhamel, Prychynenko (46’ Halaimia), Frans, Bourdin, Dom, Pietermaat, Sanusi (76’ Suzuki), Vorogovskyi, Holzhauser, Tissoudali, Noubissi
STANDARD: Bodart, Fai, Vanheusden, Laifis, Gavory, Cimirot, Shamir (75’ Bokadi), Raskin, Cop (67’ Tapsoba), Avenatti (60’ Oulare), Lestienne
YELLOW CARDS: Fai, Bourdin, Holzhauser, Sanusi
RED CARDS: none
