Westerlo vs. STVV: Exciting 2-2 Draw Leaves Fans Wanting More

Ito opened the scoring with a nice long shot.

Photo: BELGIAN

Four changes at STVV compared to the game on Standard. Wingbacks Ananou and Bocat joined the team, as did captain Godeau and leading scorer Koïta. Smets got fit in time.

Bertaccini started in place of the injured Steuckers and got the first chance. Ito only put it in front of Bolat, but the Liège native suddenly kicked it over the frame. A famous mistake, Ito the plaintiff did not understand it. And so the little Japanese tried himself a moment later. With more success than Bertaccini. The whistle whistled at a cruising speed against the net, despite a hand from Bolat.

Bertaccini left the score 0-1 face to face with Bolat.

Photo: BELGIAN

A mindless game? No. The STVV bench indicated that she was allowed to go to the next round in Europe. And the festivities were barely over when workers and agents were back on their feet. Bolat now did better than he did at the opening goal level. Very necessary, because Koïta fired with gunpowder. It required a nice reflex from the Westel keeper. Soon it was 0-2, a good start for STVV.

Westerlo got back with a weak effort from distance, but the quality continued to come from STVV: Bocat with Zidane’s movement and even the static Godeau took advantage with a pass behind the support leg. It was only at the front that he had to be more effective with Koïta, Bertaccini and Zahiroleslam, who did not do what they wanted from each other in the last meters. Almost out of nowhere, the home team came together with a burst from outside the sixteen. Bos’ shot was a gem and it went past Suzuki’s ears without hope: 1-1, second world goal of the evening. Where was the guard Ananou? After that tie, Westerlo gained confidence and became more dangerous than STVV. Piedfort had a chance to make it 2-1 just before half-time, Suzuki saved with his foot.

Photo: BELGIAN

2-1 despite a lengthy VAR review

The second half had barely started when Westerlo scored again. At the far post, a long pass from Sydorchuk was returned to the center by Yow. All Stassin had to do was put his foot against the leather. 2-1, a VAR review did not change long for those accusations. STVV had to urgently step up their game, the grit from the first level had disappeared.

Bocat was injured. Almost immediately substitute Ogawa came up with a dangerous cross. Ito finally pushed, but this time he missed Bolat’s goal. It became clear that Ogawa’s contribution gave STVV offensive momentum again. Koïta also found a second wind, testing Bolat’s fist with a free kick.

When he came face to face with Bolat the second time, Bertaccini scored.

Photo: BELGIAN

Bertaccini

STVV seemed to have lost its balance, until Ito and Bertaccini suddenly appeared with a touch of class. Passage through the center of Ito. Bertaccini slyly replied * – what a speed in the first meters! – and Bolat played out simply: 2-2. Again there was a wide VAR check for a sideline, but again the party continued: 2-2. Bertaccini got a little too confident after that, Fink tried to completely turn the last quarter in STVV’s favor with a few substitutions. Suzuki had to intervene with a header, he was given a little more work than his colleague Bolat. But – as has often happened in the past in Westerlo-STVV – things could still go either way.

In fact we got ten minutes of extra time and a debate for young Nhaili at STVV. Barnes was the closest to the winning goal, but the 2-2 remained on the board. STVV also remained unbeaten in the fourth meeting with Westerlo this season.

WESTERLO: Bolat, Reynolds, Neustädter, Tagir, Bos, Sydorchuk, Piedfort, Madsen, Alcocer, Yow, Stassin.

STVV: Suzuki – Van Helden, Smets, Godeau – Ananou, Delorge, Ito, Bocat – Bertaccini, Koïta, Zahiroleslam.

Substitutions: 58′ Bocat by Ogawa, 78′ Ananou by Vanwesemael, 78′ Bertaccini by Barnes, 78′ Yow by Sayyadmanesh, 78′ Stassin by Frigan, 88′ Alcocer by Rommens, 88′ Madsen by Borys, 90′ Koïta by Nhaili, 90′ Zahiroleslam by Kaya.

Two points: 8 ‘ Ito 0-1, 32 ‘ Bos 1-1, 47 ‘ Stassin 2-1, 69 ‘ Bertaccini 2-2.

Yellow cards: Ananou (false), Reynolds (false), Godeau (false), Sydorchuk (false).

Referee: Bourdeaud’hui.

Spectators: 3,750. (to)