KV Mechelen-Cercle Brugge was an attractive poster on paper, as both teams are working on a particularly strong return round. The home team, still fully in the running for a place in the best 4, started the game without any problems.
A first chance was there for the home team, a free kick by Schoofs went just wide. Afterwards, the game became more balanced, but KVM did take the lead. First Cuypers scored on a pass from -of course- Rob Schoofs and a little later Vinicius seemed to put the game in a final fold with a nice ball.
Cercle had to react and did so on the stroke of half-time. Weak defense on a stationary phase by Hotic led to Miangue’s connecting goal and barely 2 minutes later the signs were equal. After a messy phase, Denkey tapped the equalizer from close range past a helpless Coucke.
After the break, the pace did not drop, on the contrary, but there were no more goals. Both teams saw another player be excluded (Van der Bruggen at Cercle and a little later Vinicius at KV Mechelen). Denkey and Schoofs also beat down huge chances.
In added time, both teams failed to control the game. First, an elusive Matondo left Van Hoorenbeeck on the spot, only to see his shot narrowly go past. On the other side, substitute Sjved went for his own success, Storm was nevertheless ready to finish.
Especially KV Mechelen loses a stitch in the battle for a place in the first 4. Anderlecht can see 8 points this weekend. Malinwa still has a make-up game to spare.
