GAMES Anderlecht concluded its final warm-up ahead of Hammarby with a win. It beat Dutch side AZ 1-0, with Sikan scoring the decisive goal from distance in the 73rd minute. Next week, Anderlecht travel to Sweden, where they will immediately face a serious test in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. Hammarby are already deep into the season, while Anderlecht have so far mainly seen players depart and are relying heavily on a number of youngsters, including Onia Seke and Ojea, who took charge of the flanks.
In addition, Saliba and Huerta have not yet returned after the World Cup. Before the break, AZ had the greater share of possession. Coosemans was alert, while Vroninks struggled defensively to hold his ground. Anderlecht also created a few chances through sloppy defending by AZ. On the hour mark, a second yellow card for Kwakman was ultimately rescinded, allowing AZ to continue with 11 men. It was Anderlecht itself that requested this, and after contact with the Dutch federation, the request was granted. Notably, neither Bertaccini nor Degreef came off the bench.
Anderlecht started with: Coosemans, Vroninks, Biancone, Petrot, Augustinsson, Llansana, Ambros, Kana, Onia Seke, Ojea Cobiella, Sikan
Second-half substitutes: Maamar, Kalonji, Nga Kana, Cvetkovic and Vazquez
Bench: Heekeren, Seghers, Keita, Ndiaye, Cvetkovic, Vázquez, Stroeykens, Sarr, Barry, Nga Kana, Kalonji, Maamar, Degreef, Bertaccini.
Source: © Internal source
