The Yanks of Westerlo are out of Europe but the good news is that Kahveh Zahiroleslam and STVV have secured their Pro League status.
Charleroi 4 – 3 Westerlo
In the penultimate game of the Conference League playoffs, and with both Bryan Reynolds and Griffin Yow in the starting lineup, it was a game that the Gamecocks had to win if they were to keep their hopes of playing in Europe alive. But it didn’t start off very well for the visitors as they let the Zebras charge forward early on and watched their keeper pick the ball out of the back of his own yet after just 10 minutes, thanks to Nikola Stulic’s strike.
Westerlo wasn’t giving up without a fight however and in the 29th and 39th minutes, Isa Sakamoto struck to put his side in the lead going into the locker room for the intermission.
Things got better after the break when Alfie Devine broke forward, spotted the run of his Croatian team mate and watched Matija Frigan chip the Zebras keeper for what looked like the goal that should have put the game to bed. That wasn’t the case.
Two minutes later the hosts were awarded a free kick and when the Westerlo keeper misjudged the flight of the ball, it fell to Stulic who scored his second of the night and his 16th of the season. And not too many minutes after that it should have been 3-3 but Stulic drifted offside and the goal was cancelled.
The equalizer did come in the 71st minute, thanks to Daan Heymans. This one was from the penalty spot.
And finally in the 85th minute the comeback was complete. Westerlo looked ridiculous trying to clear their box and failed miserably. Cheick Keita took advantage of the blunder and stole all the points for Charleroi.
Westerlo has two games left but they mean nothing as Charleroi will be the one continuing in the play-offs. Up next is a road trip to Leuven.
Notes
Marlon Fossey and Standard Liege still are winless during the play-offs as they ended their trip to Mechelen scoreless. With nothing to play for, les Rouches will host Dender next.
Kahveh Zahiroleslam got to play nine minutes in Sint Truiden’s last game of their play-offs. A win would guarantee them another season in the Pro League but their game ended 2-2 against Kortrijk. Fortunately for the Canaries, last place Beerschot upset Cercle Brugge, so that place in the top flight next season has been assured.
