Soccer returned to Belgium this weekend but goals were in short supply. Westerlo looked the best team during Game Day 1 with a convincing victory over Cercle Brugge.
Anderlecht 1 – 0 Sint-Truiden
It was a tightly contested game when the Canaries of Sint-Truiden traveled to Brussels to take on Anderlecht on Saturday night. American striker Kahveh Zahiroleslam started up front for STVV, having extended his one year contract late last season for another year. The Californian got the nod and started, putting in an 83 minutes shift in the defeat.
The game lacked atmosphere since the stadium was devoid of fans due to the less than stellar behavior of the Anderlecht faithful last season as they, along with the fans of Standard Liege, could not avoid acting on their worst behavior.
To be honest, it was a game of very few chances where les Mauves dominated possession with 72% of the ball although they did very little with it, having only four shots, compared to the visitors’ two. Zahiroleslam had a half chance header a few minutes into the second half but it was high and weak, and easily claimed by the keeper.
With the two earlier games of the day ending scoreless, it looked as though this one would follow suit, that was until, from a throw-in, Mario Stoeykens caught the Canaries’ defense off-guard and fired the ball past Jo Coppens for the 92nd minute winner. The teenager had only been on the field for 15 minutes.
Next up for STVV will be a visit to the Stayen by the Zebras of Charleroi.
Genk 0 – 0 Standard Liege
Les Rouches opened their new Pro League season with a trip to Genk to take on the Smurfs. Marlon Fossey traveled with the team and found himself in Ivan Leko’s starting XI. At the other end however, Mark McKenzie was missing, having spent a small part of his summer with the USMNT at the Copa America, although he never stepped onto the field. There is also speculation that he will leave Belgium for Turkey but not deal has been confirmed yet.
This game turned out to be one of the summer time hang-over games where goals just didn’t carry over from last season. As a matter of fact, three ended as scoreless draws while three more were settled with 1-0 score lines.
Perhaps more was expected of the Flemish side, especially since they dominated on the ball with 75% possession, making it seem that the visitors perhaps left a few of their players on the bench or in the locker room. Still they could only manage three shorts on target but with 10 corner kicks that of course, came to nothing.
Whether or not McKenzie will be available for their next game away to OH Leuven on Sunday evening remains to be seen. He has returned to Belgium as has been spotted in Genk, so he is available to play. Not suiting up will probably have something to do with an inevitable transfer. As for Fossey however, he should be back on the field when the Belgian champions, Club Brugge, come to town.
Westerlo 3 – 0 Cercle Brugge
Griffin Yow was missing from the Westerlo line-up over the week as he is living the Olympic dream just south of the border in France, with the American U-23 side as they fight to bring home a medal. Bryan Reynolds was there however, picking up where he left off last season, in his right back position. He went the distance.
It was a very good game for Westerlo too, with new coach and former Belgian international Timmy Simons winning his first game in charge of the Pro League team after leaving Dender in the summer. Nineteen-year-old Lucas Stassin, who saw very little playing time last season, was called upon by Simons to start up front and he repaid the confidence boost by finding the back of the net in the first and then the second half of the game. Iranian international Allahyar Sayyadmanesh scored his after the young Belgian had already done all the damage.
The victory and the +3 goal difference leave Westerlo alone in the top spot. They’ll travel over the weekend to take on Mechelen, who ended their first game of the season with a very decent result, a 1-1 draw on the road against the Belgian champions.
