With the narrowest of margins. After a very mediocre game of football, Antwerp made it 0-1 at OH Leuven, which dominated large parts of the match. The Great Old is four points ahead of Anderlecht and Gent and is in the Champions’ play-offs with one and a half legs. The people of Leuven are left behind with a meager two out of eighteen.
They immediately jumped into action at Antwerp. The intention was clear to look for an early goal. The visitors were not really dangerous in the opening phase. Verstraete kicked a house high, Frey headed wide. Verstraete quickly took yellow – his tenth already – and has to grumble for two games.
After fifteen minutes, OHL was dangerous for the first time. Mercier scored with a well-aimed free kick, but goalkeeper Butez kept Antwerp upright. After twenty minutes, OHL came out again. Schrijvers aimed for Butez from just outside the box. The people of Leuven were now in charge, because not much later there was also Tamari who decided from close by on Butez.
OHL only became more menacing. After 25 minutes, Ozkacar’s header hit the post, immediately afterwards De Norre kicked into the side net. A Leuven goal hung in the air. Just past the half hour Tamari got another shot of a chance, but he aimed two meters wide. The home side squandered one excellent opportunity after another. And the song just kept going. Maertens only came in front of goal, but aimed for Butez.
Photo: BELGA
Where was Antwerp meanwhile, you now wonder. nowhere. And yet it was five minutes before the break to take the lead. Bataille, who had to replace the injured De Laet last minute, headed a corner from Verstraete to Seck, who headed the 0-1 against the ropes from a meter from the goal line. On a thief.
Locked
OHL came out of the locker room sharp. After a free kick by Mercier, Kuharevych, who was exceptionally preferred over Kaba in the striker, was able to score. However, he rated his shot. Then followed a quarter of an hour in which the match came to a close. We didn’t score a single serious chance, until Manuel Benson once again created danger with a free kick. Goalkeeper Runarsson was able to box away.
Photo: BELGA
Twenty minutes before the end, Maertens gave a demonstration twice of what characterized the entire game of the people of Leuven. Two shots from the edge of the box went completely wrong. After that, the sting was out of the game and there was little to do, although eighteen-year-old substitute Ilyas Lefrancq was a bright spot at OHL. The attacking midfielder brought a remarkable amount of flair. Antwerp, where Nainggolan was aiming for Runarsson just before the whistle, however, remained upright and is doing a huge job with a view to the Champions’ play-offs.
