Four changes at STVV compared to the match on Standard. Wingbacks Ananou and Bocat joined the team, as did captain Godeau and top scorer Koïta. Smets got fit in time.
Bertaccini started in the position of the injured Steuckers and got the first chance. Ito only put him in front of Bolat, but the Liège native kicked rashly over the frame. A famous mistake, complainant Ito did not understand it. And so the little Japanese tried it himself a minute later. With more success than Bertaccini. His whistle blew at cruising speed against the net, despite a hand from Bolat.
Bertaccini left the score 0-1 face to face with Bolat. — © BELGA
A match without meaning? No. The STVV bench celebrated as if it were allowed to go to the next round in Europe. And the festivities had barely disappeared when staff and substitutes were back on their feet. But Bolat now did better than in the opening goal phase. His clever reflex was much needed, because Koïta fired with gunpowder. Soon it was 0-2, a flying start for STVV.
Zidane move
Westerlo recovered with a weak attempt from distance, but the quality continued to come from STVV: Bocat with a Zidane move and even the static Godeau took advantage with a pass behind the supporting leg. Only at the front it had to be more efficient with Koïta, Bertaccini and Zahiroleslam, who did not do what they wanted from each other in the last meters. A bit out of nowhere, the home team came alongside. Bos’s instep shot from outside the box – with his inferior right hand – whizzed past the ears of a hopeless Suzuki: 1-1. A second world goal of the evening, but where was guard Ananou? After that equalizer, 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.
© BELGIUM
2-1 despite a long VAR check
The second half had barely started when Westerlo scored again. At the far post, a long pass from Sydorchuk was brought back to the center by Yow. Stassin only had to put his foot against the leather: 2-1 and a long check from the VAR for alleged offside did not change that. STVV urgently had to step up its game, because the grinta from the initial phase had disappeared.
Bocat was injured, but his replacement Ogawa almost immediately came up with a dangerous cross. Ito pressed, but this time missed Bolat’s goal. Ogawa’s contribution once again brought offensive momentum to STVV. Koïta also found a second breath, testing the Westerlo goalkeeper’s fists with a free kick.
When he came face to face with Bolat the second time, Bertaccini scored. — © BELGA
Aalvlugge Bertaccini
After that, STVV seemed to have lost its balance, until Ito and Bertaccini suddenly came up with a flash of class. A pass through the center of Ito. Bertaccini responded wittily – what speed in the first meters! – and Bolat played out simply: 2-2. Once again there was an extensive VAR check for a borderline offside, but once again the party continued. Bertaccini became a bit overconfident afterwards, Fink tried to turn the final quarter completely into STVV’s favor with a few substitutions. Suzuki had to intervene with a header, he was given slightly more work than colleague Bolat. Yet – as has often happened in the past in Westerlo-STVV – things could still go either way.
We actually got ten minutes of extra time and the debut of young Nhaili as Kanarie. Barnes came closest to the winning goal, but the 2-2 remained on the board. STVV also remained undefeated 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.
Replacements: 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 .
Doelpunten: 8′ Ito 0-1, 32′ Bos 1-1, 47′ Stassin 2-1, 69′ Bertaccini 2-2.
Yellow cards: Ananou (foul), Reynolds (foul), Godeau (foul), Sydorchuk (foul).
Referee: Bourdeaud’hui.
Spectators: 3,750. (gus)
