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It is not the result that counts, but the personal development lines of the players. That has been the discourse for years at U23 matches, of Anderlecht, but also of other teams. This year it is all a bit different, because the first four from the U21 series can compete in 1B next year. And so RSCA against Club Brugge also became a result-oriented, closed game in which Anderlecht eventually won with the smallest difference after a penalty kick.
Milan Augustijns
Enough support for the Purple & White promises, who could count on several hundred spectators. Among the spectators also the half A-team with, among others, Hoedt, Gomez, Magallan, Murillo, Verschaeren and Kouamé. And of course Vincent Kompany. The young talents could use that support, because the pressure is much greater than usual this year. The fact that the top four will be able to taste professional football in 1B next year suddenly creates much greater sporting interests. But also for the necessary expectations. Anderlecht did not only start with ‘pure’ promises, but also with Bart Verbruggen, Hannes Delcroix, Anouar Ait El Hadj, Killian Sardella and Mario Stroeykens.
The first opportunity was for Club Brugge, which came out stronger than expected. Denzel De Roeve aimed over. The visitors continued to cause a little more danger in the remainder of the first half, although that was very much within limits. Daniel Perez aimed the best chance at goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, after Hannes Delcroix – who is working on his comeback after a knee injury – misjudged a high ball.
© BELGIAN
The only time before the break that Anderlecht decorated something that looked like an opportunity from afar was when Anouar El Hadj aimed at goalkeeper Nick Shinton from a distance. It was an underprivileged, closed first half to quickly forget. Extremely boring even. The match was exceptionally played on artificial turf, but the Purple & White technicians were unable to use that to their advantage in the first half.
Road to 1B is open
After the break, both teams played a little less from the block and a little more forward, with the emphasis on a little more. The opportunities remained scarce. At the hour Kristian Arnstad pushed through well, but at the moment of truth he let the ball slip. Anderlecht were more dominant than before the break. In the middle of the second half, Enock Agyei tried with a hard shot that ended up in the side net. Then the ball went on the spot after a strong charge from Bruges. Lucas Stassin – son of Stéphane – stayed cool and kicked from eleven meters into the bottom left corner.
Club did not give up after the Purple & White goal. Ten minutes before time, a corner kicked the crossbar into the crossbar for Bruges’ best chance of the second half. On the other side, Theo Leoni went wide, but neither team managed to score.
The way to 1B is now completely open for the promises of Anderlecht, which only Racing Genk have to tolerate. The Purple & White has thirteen points more than number five AA Gent. Club Brugge still has to work hard in the coming weeks and is third only four points more than Ghent.
