Except for Bryan Reynolds’ Westerlo, all of the other Pro League Yanks came away with points in the Pro League over the weekend. Devon De Corte also found himself in the starting line-up in Challenger League action.
Beerschot 0 – 3 Sint-Truiden
The Canaries continued their winning ways as they came away with a shut-out on the road against a Beerschot side that has struggled since returning to the top flight.
After eight tries, they have collected just a point. With Kahvev Zahiroleslam in the starting line-up, STVV scored twice and were helped along as Herve Matthys found the back of his own net late on. The American was subbed off in the 66th minute.
The visitors took the lead after just nine minutes with Shogo Taniguchi’s first goal of the season. The 33-year-old Japanese defender scored from a corner kick, putting the ball into the back of the net from six yards out.
Although the hosts had more shots on target than their opponents, they were not able to convert until the own goal in the 85th minute. That was followed by Ryo Ito’s strike a few minutes later.
Up next for the yellow and blues will be another game on the road, this time to Brugge to take on Cercle.
Westerlo 1 – 2 Antwerp
It was the Toby Alderweireld show at Het Kuipje when Royal Antwerp made the short trip to take on the Gamecocks of Westerlo. The former Tottenham defender scored just before the intermission and did it again in stoppage time, handing Westerlo just their third defeat of the season.
Bryan Reynolds was in the starting XI and put in an 80 minute shift but Griffin Yow missed out after picking up an injury against Anderlecht last weekend.
The hosts were practically handed a goal in the first half when Alfie Devine was brought down in the box by keeper Senne Lammens. Matija Frigan took the spot kick but took it poorly and saw his effort saved by Lammens.
The Croatian however redeemed himself in the 45th minute, just after Alderweireld’s go-ahead goal, to bring the teams into the intermission on level terms.
The second half almost ended in a stalemate but a 95th minute corner saw the Belgian international nod a cross from a corner into the back of the Westerlo net to steal all of the points.
Next up for Westerlo will be a trip to take on Standard Liege.
Standard Liege 0 – 0 Union Saint Gilloise
After missing out on Standard’s 2-0 win last weekend against newcomers Dender due to a delay in returning from international duty, Marlon Fossey rejoined the starting line-up and put in a 74-minute shift. Neither team was able to find the back of the net at the Sclessin, under the Friday night lights.
The Brussels side, who have been struggling as of late, dominated possession over their hosts, keeping possession 63% of the time as well as out-shooting les Rouches, 14-4. They have started the season just collecting nine out of a possible 21 points.
Despite their dominance, USG almost threw the game away when English defender Chris Burgess was out-classed by Soufaine Benjdida, who would have found himself one-on-one with the Standard keeper. Burgess however pulled the Moroccan back, denying him a goal scoring opportunity. Although it likely should have been a straight red card, the defender still got away with only a warning.
The Walloon side will be at home again over the weekend when they host Reynolds’ and Yow’s Westerlo.
Notes
Devon De Corte was in the starting line-up for the Anderlecht Futures and put in an 85-minute shift, however the Brussels side saw their point disappear minutes before the final whistle, losing 2-1 away to Lommel. Next up the Futures will host Zulte Waregem at the national stadium over the weekend.
