Club Brugge spoiled 9,000 returning fans with four goals against Waasland-Beveren. Hans Vanaken (twice), David Okereke and Michael Krmencik (with his first for Club) forget the lame start of the competition. Waasland-Beveren fought but lacked quality to beat Club with his twelfth man: 4-1.
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‘Ruud! Ruud! ‘, When the captain kicks a corner. Admiring ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ when Emmanuel Dennis drops a ball dead on the foot. Sixty seconds of applause in minute 23. It was all back to Jan Breydel on Saturday. Like a holiday home that feels some warmth after a long winter.
It is not quite like it used to be. Only the ‘captains’ of each bubble are allowed to get a drink. And a maximum of two people can go to the toilet at the same time per bubble. People are in different places than they are used to and have to use different entrances and different ‘time slots’. But corona also has unexpected benefits. No parking problems at the stadium, for example, and the chance to attend a match with straight legs instead of folded in the seating stands.
The players were also delighted with the vocal support of the 9,000 lucky ones. Emmanuel Dennis continued the good line from Racing Genk and was a scourge for the visiting left flank for seventy minutes. Hans Vanaken played his best game of the season, with two goals. Odilon Kossounou, the replacement for the incarcerated Brandon Mechele, remained at the heart of the defense.
Penalty kick?
Club Brugge took the lead with a bit of luck. Emmanuel Dennis challenged Amine Khammas, let the left back of Waasland-Beveren take a bite and flashed past him into the penalty area. When Dennis felt that Khammas had caught up with him again he made a mistake and went down to the edge of the box. Referee Lambrechts gave a penalty, Hans Vanaken pushed the leather under the body of the new goalkeeper Nordin Jackers in goal.
The penalty kick might have been debatable, Club Brugge’s lead was not. From the first minute, Club took control of the game and threatened it, especially from the right. Clinton Mata regularly made it to the back line and Schoonbaert had to use his body to keep the pushing Badji from scoring. Shortly after Club’s opening goal, Vanaken and Badji had chances of 2-0.
But Waasland-Beveren also participated. Coach Nicky Hayen hoped to use the speed of Efford and Koita and kept his two attackers in the front. Mignolet had to work for the first time on an attempt at a distance from van Verreth.
Vanaken again
The 1-1 came after a razor-sharp counter. Vukotic tackled Mata wildly, had enough ball, according to referee Lambrechts, and after a quick breakout, Efford served Heymans for the equalizer. The VAR watched the violation of Vukotic from all angles for minutes and let Lambrechts look at it again. The ref stayed with his judgment.
Club did not delay long to take the lead again. After another action by Dennis, Vormer was allowed to kick a corner, Vanaken won the header duel against Heymans and headed in his second of the evening. Dennis also chased his goal, but a shot went just wide.
Waasland-Beveren tried to change the course, but lacked creativity to burden Club. The game was over after six minutes in the second half. Sobol crossed, Okereke came in well and scored his first goal in 2020.
The visitors threatened twice. Mignolet had to push a header from Wuytens into a corner and had to deal with a distance attempt by Koita. But it was Club that remained the most dangerous. Vormer got a good chance on a cross from Rits, after a good preparatory work by Okereke.
Finally Krmencik
The most emotional moment was yet to come. Halfway through the second half, Michael Krmencik came on. The Czech striker had hit home for his country but has been chasing his first official goal for Bruges since his million transfer in January. After some unfortunate actions it was that time five minutes before time. On a cross from Sobol, Club’s number 9 headed the 4-1 against the ropes. He walked to the corner flag and hid his face in his hands. This goal takes a load off his shoulders.
Waasland-Beveren still has a month to attract reinforcement from new investors. It showed itself to be combative, but lacked quality to put something in the way of an increasingly better football club. Especially when the twelfth man is also present again.
Final standings: 4-1
Club Brugge: Mignolet; Mata, Kossounou, Deli, Sobol; Zipper, Shaper, Vanaken; Dennis (71 ‘De Ketelaere), Badji (65’ Krmencik), Okereke (78 ‘Diatta)
Waasland-Beveren: Jackers; Mertens, Schoonbaert, Wuytens, Vukotic, Khammas; Schryvers (63 ‘Bizimana), Verreth (79’ Albanian), Heymans; Koita, Efford (70 ‘Sula)
Goals: 16 ‘Vanaken (penalty kick) 1-0, 30’ Heymans (Efford) 1-1, 39 ‘Vanaken (Vormer) 2-1, 50’ Okereke (Sobol) 3-1, 84 ‘Krmencik (Sobol) 4-1
Yellow cards: 34 ‘Sula, 40’ Schoonbaert, 52 ‘Dennis
Red cards: no
Referee: Erik Lambrechts
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