Not a bad weekend for the Pro League’s Yanks with not only Zahiroleslam scoring for the first time but also Marlon Fossey assisting on one to earn a draw against Anderlecht.
Sint-Truiden 1 – 1 Leuven
Kahveh Zahiroleslam not only got the nod for the Canaries but also found the back of the net for the first time in Belgium to help his team secure a point against Leuven. This was the American’s sixth start in his eight appearances and he put in a 61 minute shift.
The goals came very early in the game; STVV went ahead after just six minutes and OH Leuven equalized just a dozen minutes later, thanks to Jonatan Braut Brunes who scored his third goal of the season.
The first came when Jarne Steuckers put a sweet cross into the 6 yard box from the top right of the 18. Zahiroleslam followed its path and took it first time, knocking it just inside the far post. The Norwegian’s was a header from about 12 yards out, making contact with a cross from the left off the foot of his Icelandic colleague Jon-Dagur Porsteinsson.
Leuven were reduced to ten men when Richie Sagrado was shown a straight red card in the 32nd minute but the Canaries were unable to capitalize, although they managed 14 shots on target compared to the opponents’ two.
Up next for STVV is a trip to Brussels over the weekend to take on Molenbeek.
Eupen 1 – 3 Genk
This “battle of the Yanks” didn’t happen because Mark McKenzie‘s name was not on the team sheet for Genk, although Gabriel Slonina was between the posts for the Pandas as they extended their winless streak to six games.
It took until stoppage time in the first half before the net bulged. A long ball from the other end of the field by Bryan Heynen should have been collected by Slonina but he misjudged it, allowing Yira Sor to win it and stick it into the back of the empty net. Joseph Paintsil doubled the lead 11 minutes after the re-start.
In the 65th minute the Pandas got back into the game when Slonina punted the ball down field and six passes later Regan Charles-Cook smashed it into the underside of the net from inside the box. But if Eupen thought that they would get something out of the game, it was the 93rd minute when the win was finally sealed. Emmanuel Arokodare stormed down the field and toyed with his marker, until he put on the burners and flew passed him. He then struck the ball past the American keeper.
Next up for the team from the German part of Belgium is a trip to Westerlo.
Kortrijk 1 – 2 Westerlo
This “battle of the Yanks” did take place but only for a few minutes. Both Bryan Reynolds and Griffin Yow were in the starting line-up for Westerlo as they traveled to West Flanders, but Alex Mighten didn’t make an appearance for the Kerels until the 91st minute. Yow played 80 minutes, while Reynolds went the distance.
Matija Frigan got the scoring underway for Westerlo in the 33rd minute but 33 minutes later it was 1-1 when Isaak Davies netted his fourth of the season. On the counter attack, Kyan Vaesen shot as he charged inside the box but his effort struck the far post and fortunately fell to Davies who tucked it away from close range.
Next up Kortrijk heads to Genk, while Westerlo hosts Eupen.
Anderlecht 2 – 2 Standard Liege
Marlon Fossey put in a 90 minute for les Rouches and assisted on their equalizer just after the intermission, setting Hayao Kawabe in first half stoppage time after Anders Dreyer gave les Mauves the lead half way through the half.
The second half produced two more goals with Aka Kanga giving Standard the lead, only for Dreyer to score again but this time from the penalty spot.
On Friday night Fossey and friends will host Sporting Charerlo in the Walloon Derby.
Notes
Sam Vines still hasn’t returned, so missed Antwerp’s 3-1 win against Cercle Brugge. Next up will be a visit from Barcelona in Champions League action on Tuesday night before they return to league action against Anderlecht.
