It was another week in the Pro League where the Yanks saw little action, except for Sam Vines, who notched his first assist of the young season.
Antwerp 1 – 0 Zulte Waregem
Sam Vines was in the starting line-up for Royal Antwerp on Sunday evening when they hosted Zulte-Waregem, and beat them through the game’s only goal, which the American defender set up midway through the second half.
The visitors put up a great fight against the Great Old but were unable to capitalize on their chances, thanks to the heroic goalkeeping of Jean Butez between the Antwerp sticks, who registered his fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league and European qualifiers.
Sammy Bossut was also having a half-decent game between the sticks for the visitors, denying both Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Koji Miyoshi, as well as Pieter Gerkens free kick from the edge of the box.
After the intermission the battle continued but it was Antwerp who took the lead in the 68th minute when Vines was released up the left flank. The Yank spotted Balikwisha charging into the box, picked out the Belgian winger and watched his team mate hit the back of the net from close range.
The victory puts RAFC in second place, behind OH Leuven on goal difference. They’ll look to take over the top spot this coming weekend when they host Leuven.
Before that however, they’ll head to Norway to take on Lillestrom on Thursday evening in Europa Conference League play-off action.
Notes
Bryan Reynolds played seven minutes for Westerlo in a losing effort on the road to OH Leuven. Griffin Yow didn’t make the team sheet however in the 2-0 loss. Both Yanks will hope for a better result and a victory when they head to Gent on Saturday afternoon.
Owen Otasowie stayed rooted to the bench when Club Brugge travelled to take on AS Eupen. The defending champions came away with a 2-1 win, which means that they have had a perfect season thus far. They’ll get the third week of the Pro League underway on Friday when they host Zulte Waregem. Otasowie will hope to make his season debut against Essevee.
Genk won their first game of the season on Sunday afternoon when they beat Standard Liege, 3-1, in Limburg. Mark McKenzie was never called into action however, so got to enjoy the game from the bench. Next up will be a Saturday afternoon clash against Eupen.
Jorge Hernandez made his Belgian debut when he came off the bench in the 70th minute for Mechelen along the Belgian coast. They just couldn’t get the job done however, and left Oostende with no points in the bag. Kyle Duncan didn’t make the bench for the Seasiders in their 2-1 victory but will be hoping to make an appearance when his team travels to Charleroi over the weekend. Mechelen will host Union St Gilloise.
