Fierce rain and wind, bizarre match phases and two teams that didn’t exactly shine but went all out for a place in the semi-finals of the Belgian Cup. The 3,000 fans at the Gaverbeek experienced an unforgettable cup evening. Fadera opened the score shortly before the break and halfway through the second half Vormer decided the match from the spot: 2-0. Zulte Waregem can continue to dream of a third cup victory.
Shortly after Christmas, STVV was clearly too strong for an impotent Essevee. Meanwhile, Vormer and Brüls arrived at the Elindus Arena and there is again a cautious form of optimism at Zulte Waregem. For this cup match, coach Leye could not rely on Brüls, who was not entitled to play for the game against his former club.
The game was barely 44 seconds in when Ramirez suddenly appeared face to face with Schmidt after a misunderstanding in the visiting defense. The Japanese dropped his foot and promptly received a red card from ref Boucaut. Jonkie Dumont was a victim in favor of substitute goalkeeper Coppens, his basic debut lasted exactly one minute. The tactical plan of the two coaches could immediately go into the trash.
The home players smelled blood and went on the attack furiously. Even before the opening quarter was over, the fire hit the pan. Vormer aimed and the ball seemed to hit a Truiense hand. Boucaut resolutely pointed to the spot and that decision was also confirmed by VAR Laforge. It was Gano’s move but Coppens saved his penalty kick. Bruno finally escaped and forced Bossut to make a great save. Moments later it was hit: Gano served Fadera and he took Coppens against foot (1-0).
Vormer gets the job done from the spot
Added time for rest: Twelve minutes, please. During the break it continued to rain very heavily and the wind also increased a notch. The turf of the Elindus Arena seemed more and more suitable for an evening of water ballet. The level of play did not immediately improve in the second half. Zulte Waregem tried to monopolize the ball, but creating chances together turned out to be very difficult after the break.
The Canaries did try to move the beacons, but with one less male that was of course no easy task. Fadera slipped through the Truiense offside trap. Coppens came out but was just too late. penalty kick! This time Vormer claimed the ball and then you know it. A dry bang in the bottom left corner and the qualification for the semi-finals now seemed to be a fact. It was also the last achievement of Vormer.
Both coaches exchanged furiously and substitute Offor immediately got an imposed chance, but Coppens stood firm. The STVV players also put their noses to the window, but no more goals were scored. Second win in a row for Zulte Waregem, which has to visit leader Genk next weekend. On Friday they already know who they will meet in the semi-finals. For Sint-Truiden, it is now especially important to obtain mathematical certainty about conservation as quickly as possible.
Line-up Zulte Waregem: Bossut; Thiam (77′ Sörmo), Derijck, Lopez; Ciranni, Vormer (68′ Rommens), Sissako, Miroshi; Ramirez (86′ Demuynck), Gano (77′ Offor) and Fadera (68′ Ndour)
Sint-Truiden setup: Schmidt; Janssens (66′ Bauer), Leistner (77′ Teixeira), Al-Dakhil; Hashioka, Boya, Dumont (6′ Coppens), Bocat; Hayashi, Okazaki (66′ Smets); Bruno (66′ Koita)
Goals: 41′ Fadera 1-0, 63′ Former (pen) 2-0
Yellow cards: Hayashi and Boya
Red cards: Schmidt
Referee: Alexandre Boucaut
