Motivated Anderlecht wins against Kortrijk

GAMES Anderlecht found its way back to victory after getting one out of 12 in the league. It won with 4-1 against Kortrijk and led with 1-0 at halftime after a goal of Verschaeren. After halftime, a good Ashimeru headed his team to 2-0. A clumsy counter-goal brought the West Flemish back into the match for a few minutes, but Vertonghen and Refaelov (on penalty) removed all doubts. After the international break, Purple White must of course confirm this performance, starting against Charleroi.


After Kortrijk could almost threaten from the kickoff, Anderlecht, with Ashimeru on the 'six', tried to take control of the match. It consumed a lot of energy, but it also played sloppily and so we saw no chances. After only 15 minutes, Amuzu had to abandon the game due (presumably) to a hamstring problem. Duranville was his replacement. Vertonghen tried via a breakaway shot that landed half a meter wide of goal. On a subsequent attack, Debast threw in front of goal where Murillo headed the ball back. Verschaeren was in the right place to make his first of the season.

Anderlecht continued to put high pressure to look for the double lead. Kortrijk, meanwhile, threatened for the first time after Ashimeru lost the ball, but Hoedt blocked in corner. Just before halftime, Murillo put himself through well, but the Panamanian was unlucky for a wrong foot to clear his hard cross and Arnstad popped wide. A deserved lead for Anderlecht at halftime.

Not long after halftime, Ilic saved Kortrijk from the double by keeping a shot Silva took with his leg out of goal. Purple White got away well, however, when Watanabe, from very close to goal, couldn't really touch the ball. Then Ashimeru did better. Murillo headed a corner kick through and at the far post Ashimeru was all alone to head the ball into goal. However, Purple White could not enjoy the double lead for long. Van Crombrugge first saved a shot by Lamkel Zé, but on a corner there was panic and Hoedt comically kicked the ball to Selemani who scored without having to do anything himself.

But Anderlecht definitely wanted the three points tonight. Two minutes after the visitors' goal, Vertonghen immediately headed in the 3-1 after Refaelov's free kick. Then we saw a comical action or rather a tragicomic action. Verboomen gave Refaelov yellow for a schwalbe instead of putting the ball on the spot after an obvious foul by Kortrijk. The VAR screen was not functioning, but Verboomen thankfully pointed to the spot anyway. Refaelov converted the penalty flawlessly. Anderlecht played out the match - with seven minutes of extra time - easily. Despite some nice attacks, they couldn't score anymore.

Thus, Purple-White finally wins again (deservedly and by large numbers). Obviously, this performance must be confirmed in the near future, but this time the grinta was present and certain players (such as Verschaeren, Refaelov and Ashimeru) reached the expected level.

Score: 4-1
Goal(s): 1-0 Verschaeren 26', 2-0 Ashimeru 58', 2-1 Selemani 61', 3-1 Vertonghen 64', 4-1 Refaelov 75' (pen)

Anderlecht: Van Crombrugge, Debast (Sardella 82'), Hoedt, Vertonghen, Arnstad (Kana 74'), Murillo, Amuzu (Duranville 17'), Ashimeru, Verschaeren, Refaelov (Esposito 74'), Silva (Delcroix 82')

Kortrijk: Ilic, Watanabe, Sych (Mehssatou 76'), Radovanovic, Dessoleil (Avenatti 65'), Vandendriessche (Keita 56'), D'Haene, Lamkel Zé, Tanaka, Loncar (Mbayo 76'), Messaoudi (Selemani 56')

Yellow: Dessoleil 28', Vandendriessche 52', Arnstad 65'
Red:

Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Stadium: Lotto Park