KVC Westerlo
1 
1
KRC Genk
In 't Kuipje, the task was crystal clear: win, and we would secure our place in the top 6 and the corresponding ticket for the Champions' Play-Offs. A draw or loss would mean calculations. Vrancken stuck with the same 11 players who took charge against Standard in the second half. Thus, Ait El Hadj was rewarded for his strong substitute appearance, and Tolu took up position in the attack.
First half For the home team, a point was enough to secure an extended stay in the top tier of our football. Vrancken predicted a footballing Westerlo and was proven right. The Kemphanen started strong with a shot from Madsen after just 5 minutes, but Vandevoordt was equal to it in the near post. As the first half progressed, the match became more balanced. Bilal found Tolu from a corner. Bolat tipped his powerful header over the bar. The game was filled with intensity, but it didn't immediately translate into many chances. Vandevoordt was alert again on a Westerlo set piece, diving well to save a header from Neustädter. The final act of the first half was of Genk origin. Bonsu rolled down the left flank in his familiar style, then laid it off nicely to Kayembe, whose effort went just inches wide of Bolat's goal.
Second half In the second half, our boys showed a different face. With the necessary determination and forward drive, we played like a team eager to qualify for the Champions' Play-Offs. A cross was cleared in front of Tolu, just before Bolat pushed one away from under his woodwork. Close to opening the scoring, our attacking zeal was halted by another overzealous VAR intervention. On a set piece, Neustädter grabbed Bonsu's arm as he tried to break free. It was enough for the VAR to call Lawrence Visser to the screen, who promptly showed red. Westerlo took advantage of the situation with a man extra and pressed forward. Tagir efficiently pounced on an unfortunate deflection from Kayembe and beat Vandevoordt. We lost our virtual spot in the top six for six minutes until Heynen leveled the score. El Khannouss shrugged off a few Westel defenders before setting up our captain for the 1-1 on a silver platter. Ecstasy in the final stages: we can roll up our socks for the Champions' Play-Offs.
"We've had a tough match, despite not giving away much space. All in all, we just had to achieve our goal, and I'm happy for the boys that we did. Now we can regroup because the Champions' Play-Offs will start soon, and we're going all in." - Wouter Vrancken
Lineup: Vandevoordt, Kayembe, McKenzie, Cuesta, El Ouahdi ('85 Adedeji-Sternberg), Hrosovsky ('82 Galarza), Heynen, El Khannouss, Ait El Hadj ('74 Zeqiri), Tolu, Bonsu Baah.
Goals '79 1-0 Tagir '86 1-1 Heynen
