STVV only got past Francs Borains after extra time, thanks to the substitutes

STVV only got past Francs Borains after extra time, thanks to the substitutes

STVV needed extra time on Tuesday evening to knock Francs Borains out of the Croky Cup. Kahveh Zahiroleslam made it 1-0, Okzakai doubled the score, Steuckers scored from the spot. Thanks to the substitutes.

The sixteenth finals of the Croky Cup are a mandatory event for every club in the Jupiler Pro League. This was also the case for STVV, which hosted George-Louis Bouchez’s Francs Borains on Tuesday evening. He had tickled the Canaries with the statement: “I am a fan of KRC Genk, all the more reason to beat STVV”. But it did not prompt the Truiense eleven on Tuesday to quickly nip Bouchez’s words in the bud.

Thorsten Fink brought nine new names to the kick-off compared to the competition match against RWDM. Only Matte Smets and Rein Van Helden remained standing. For Coppens, Ogawa, Janssens and Dumont it even meant their first starting spot of the season. Yamamoto, Fujita, Kaya, Barnes and Ananou were also allowed to appear again.

Not much courage

Even with a rotation team, STVV should be much stronger on paper than Francs Borains. But the Canaries failed to push the opponent away and grab them by the throat. It played too slowly for that, did not move enough without the ball and showed too little courage. Yamamoto was the first player who dared to make a run deep in Francs Borains’ half after 45 minutes and 25 seconds. It was also the Japanese’s first excellent action.

Then his compatriot Joël Fujita did better. Quick, with an overview, nice ball handling. But he also had too little momentum in the Truiense game. The most striking action before half time even came from… Jo Coppens. Yes, the Truiense goalkeeper. After seventeen minutes, Coppens had to do everything he could to push a Tainmont shot across the goal. Getting scared on Halloween often happens, but we didn’t expect this.

Djoco

The most dangerous action in the first half certainly came from a Hainaut foot. It prompted the dozens of Francs Borains fans behind the goal to beat the drum just a little louder. STVV could not offer enough in return. Kaya should have done more when he was suddenly allowed to shoot freely from inside the sixteen. But he needed just too much time to get the ball right and decided too weakly on goalkeeper Djoco.

Thorsten Fink watched it again with the same eleven after the break, also because STVV was given a little more space and Barnes, previously invisible, was suddenly allowed to test Djoco’s fists. But the home team didn’t bring enough to really shake Francs Borains. So Fink still intervened. First Steuckers, Okazaki and Zahiroleslam came into the team, then Ito was also dropped between the lines.

Photo: BELGIAN

Initially, this did not change the game image much. They even kept an eye out for a clever Hainaut counter. In the absolute final phase, STVV seemed to be able to avoid extra time, but Ito’s shot was blocked and – again – Djoco knocked Okazaki’s shot off the goal line with a miraculous swipe.

Substitutes decisive

So there was an extra half hour of football. To be honest, we weren’t looking forward to that. We have had more enjoyable football evenings (at Stayen) than Tuesday’s cup match against Francs Borains. Although there was suddenly more drive and urge to move forward in the Truiense game. Yamaoto had an excellent chance, but goalkeeper Djoco fell flat again. A minute later the goalkeeper from Guinea-Bissau was there for the effort.

Substitute Steuckers switched flanks with a wonderful cross pass. Ogawa delivered a sharp cross on goal and Zahiroleslam controlled the ball into the roof of the goal at the far post. Then 1-0. Finally. Oof. After 93 minutes. Okazaki doubled the score in the second extra period. Thanks to the substitutes.

The draw for the eighth finals will take place on Thursday, when STVV will know its next opponent.

STVV only got past Francs Borains after extra time, thanks to the substitutes

Photo: BELGIAN

STVV: Coppens, Janssens, Smets, Vanhelden, Ananou, Fujita, Yamamoto, Ogawa, Dumont, Kaya, Barnes.

FRANS BORAINS: Djoco, Mpati, Gillekens, Malungu, Francotte, Itrak, Diallo, Key, Tainmont, Lavie, Knight.

REPLACEMENTS: 70′ Chaabi by Vandendriessche, 78′ Kaya by Steuckers, 78′ Ananou by Okazaki, 78′ Barnes by Zahiroleslam, 89′ Dumont by Ito, 97′ Tainmont by Massolin, 97′ Chevalier by Kadiri, 97′ Lavie by Curci, 105′ Itrak by Donnez, 105′ Viallo by Walicki, 105′ Yamamoto by Vanwesemael, 119′ Ogawa by Nhaili.

GOALS: 93′ Zahiroleslam 1-0, 111′ Okazaki 2-0, 120′ Steuckers 3-0 (penalty).

YELLOW CARDS: Francotte (pulling error), Gillekens (pulling error), Diallo (kick), Janssens (kick), Yamamoto (kick), Ogawa (foot forward), Okazaki (pulling error).

SPECTATORS: 1.277.

REFEREE: Led

Previous Post
Cercle plays with fire for 120 minutes, Zulte Waregem continues after penalties

Cercle plays with fire for 120 minutes, Zulte Waregem continues after penalties

Next Post

Bruges native Thijs Coninckx (20) converts the decisive penalty and kicks FC Knokke past KV Mechelen to seventh heaven: “Let Club come now”

Related Posts