Draw after easy counter goals

GAMES Anderlecht got stuck at 2-2 against the weak FCSB from Romania. Purple and white certainly did not play well, but they were the best team and took the lead twice. After halftime, the Romanians equalized each time after easily avoidable goals. If West Ham loses to Silkeborg tonight, Anderlecht will be eliminated from Europe. But this team doesn't have much to look for in Europe at the moment.


Hesitant start by the purple and white who wanted to play, but combined sloppily. There were also some sloppiness at the back which allowed the Romanians to set up a few shots. In minute 9, Edjouma headed just over. Anderlecht reacted twice through Silva and pulled the game towards itself. Meanwhile, it had to keep watching at the back. Fortunately, FCSB lacked class to punish the mistakes of Purple and White. 

Anderlecht did not have an easy time breaking through the Romanian wall. In minute 37, Verschaeren did break the spell. A changeable Murillo crossed and Verschaeren cleverly kicked in with a half-turn. Moments later, Silva almost scored with a ball behind his supporting leg, but the Romanian goalkeeper was quick to react. Just before time, Murillo picked up a yellow card, causing him to miss the final game. Anderlecht also got away pretty well when Van Crombrugge failed to control a hard kicked free kick, but the rebound was kicked over. A fragile but deserved lead at halftime.

Five minutes after halftime, Anderlecht pressed. First Amuzu tripped over his own feet, but in the next he crossed tightly. The cross, however, went past everyone. Verschaeren, Anderlecht's best man tonight, popped at the Romanian goalkeeper moments later. The first time FCSB came up after halftime immediately resulted in a goal. Italian lighthouse Compagno, who had stepped in after halftime, headed neatly between Vertonghen and Hoedt (who barely dueled) in goal. The umpteenth header goal Anderlecht has already swallowed this season.

But Purple and White was the better team. Amuzu missed only in front of goal or forgot to lay wide for Silva. Vertonghen headed a nice chance wide, but fifteen minutes before time, the record international did head on a corner kick. But for long Anderlecht could not hold the lead. In a second Romanian cramp after halftime, a ball from a corner at the first post could be headed through completely free. Van Crombrugge could only stop the ball, but Dawa pushed the ball into goal with his body. In the added time Anderlecht got a few more small opportunities and Murillo got his second yellow. So it didn't get further than a disappointing draw against FCSB, which was beaten twice by Silkeborg 5-0.

If West Ham loses to Silkeborg tonight, Anderlecht will be eliminated from the European competition. It can only hope that the defensive errors can be ironed out quickly, starting in the important confrontation against Eupen on Sunday.

Score: 2-2
Goal(s):1-0 Verschaeren (37'), 1-1 Compagno (59'), 2-1 Vertonghen (74'), 2-2 Dawa (82')

Anderlecht:Van Crombrugge, Murillo, Vertonghen, Hoedt, N'Diaye, Diawara (Ashimeru 60'), Arnstad, Verschaeren, Refealov (Stroeykens 60'), Amuzu (Duranville 75'), Silva
FCSB:Tarnovanu, Cretu, Dawa, Tamm, Radunovic, Oaida, Edjouma (Edulca 88'), Olaru (Radaslavescu 46'), Miculescu (Stoica 90+3'), Dumiter (Compagno 46'), Popescu (Coman 64')

Yellow: Murillo 43', Compagno 66', Coman 87', Hoedt 87', Miculescu 88', Murillo 90+5'
Red: Murillo 2x yellow 90+5'

Referee: Manfredas Lukjancukas
Stadium: Lotto Park