If KV Mechelen still had a spark of hope for a place in the top 4, then it did a bad job at STVV yesterday. Securing the top 8 becomes even more the main goal.
The ball possession percentage of more than 70 percent for the visitors revealed the proportions before half time. STVV started well with some splitting openings from Brüls. KV soon took over and almost always stuck the leather to the foot of a Malinois. Storm created the first danger and in the half hour the Mechelen dominance resulted in a lead. Teixeira wanted to defuse a cross from Storm, but mainly surprised his own goalkeeper. An opportunistic Cuypers was the smiling third and tapped in his eleventh of the season.
Lost control
The rest did not do the visitors any favors. Malinwa lost control of the party, and STVV gained confidence. On the hour, the plates were balanced again. Klauss made a good hit through the underside of the sleeper. His first in Truiense salaried employment.
Foto: Isosport
A fifteenth competition victory was no longer possible for KV Mechelen. It strengthens its position in the top 8, but may see Antwerp, Anderlecht and AA Gent – the three main competitors for the top 4 – walk away further in the standings on Sunday.
