Stroeykens gives Anderlecht some breathing space

GAMES Anderlecht can breathe a sigh of relief again (for a while). After half-time, 18-year-old Mario Stroeykens scored the only goal against Seraing on a pass from Danish newcomer Dreyer. Anderlecht was largely in control of the game, but it created little concrete danger. Verbruggen had to save his team from going behind on the half-hour. A well-deserved victory for Anderlecht, which moved up a bit in the standings.


Anderlecht were under high pressure yesterday afternoon, but the team started as if it was a practice match in June. On the quarter-hour mark, Purple White showed themselves for the first time. Diawara shot over after a corner kick. Many technical fouls by Anderlecht (the pitch was in bad shape) which meant that Raman, among others, could not decide once. Seraing waited and counted on the speed of the attack. In minute 31, Verbruggen kept his team straight. Bernier turned away and was in front of goal, but the Dutch goalkeeper saved with his leg.

If Anderlecht were able to kick at goal at all, they hesitated too long or looked for an impossible combination. A good five minutes before half-time, Arnstad shot the visitors' first chance straight at Dietsch. Not a thunderous first half from Anderlecht, which had plenty of ball possession after 15 minutes, but created too little danger.

The first danger after half-time was a deflected effort by Stroeykens, straight into the hands of Dietch. Stroeykens tried again with a low deviation on the hour. Five minutes later, Murillo came just too late to deviate a shot from Diawara into goal. Riemer brought on Amuzu and Trebel in minute 66 for a disappointed Raman and the though solidly playing Arnstad who did stand with yellow. Purple and White escaped another comedy caper in minute 71 after Vertonghen choked on the ball and Debast just failed to finish in his own goal.

Fifteen minutes before time, Murillo served Dreyer. The Dane rounded Dietch and laid neatly in front of goal where Stroeykens kicked Purple White into the lead. Seraing threw in a few more substitutes in the closing stages, but the people from Liège got no further than a central shot by Bernier. Anderlecht thus scored a deserved and very important victory, moving up the rankings.

Score: 0-1
Goal(s):0-1 Stroeykens 75'

Seraing:Dietsch, Sylla, Tshibuabua, Mbow, Sissoko (78' Ifoni), Poaty (87' Guillaume), Lepoint, Lahssaini (87' Conceicao), Mvoué, Bernier, Vagner
Anderlecht:Verbruggen, Murillo, Debast, Vertonghen, Sardella, Diawara, Arnstad (Arnstad 66'), Stroeykens (89' Ashimeru), Verschaeren (Sadiki 90+2'), Raman (Amuzu 66'), Dreyer

Yellow: 58' Arnstad, 62' Lahssaini, 86' Tshibuabua, 88' Sylla
Red:

Referee: Kevin Van Damme
Stadium: Stade du Pairay