KV Mechelen continues to rage in 2024: Malinwa is too strong for small KV Kortrijk and keeps the top six in his sights

KV Mechelen continues to rage in 2024: Malinwa is too strong for small KV Kortrijk and keeps the top six in his sights

KV Mechelen has simply continued the line of recent weeks against KV Kortrijk. Against a weak and underdeveloped player, Malinwa, without really shining, only really got her mark in the second half. This is how Hasi and co. 17 out of 21 in 2024. The visitors from West Flanders are left with even more headaches after a difficult match.

Coach Besnik Hasi retained confidence in his troops after the stunt victory over Antwerp last weekend and sent the same eleven names into the field. In addition to long-term injured Raemaekers, Bassette and Belghali, Lauberbach had to pass with problems with his adductor muscles. With 14 out of 18, KV Mechelen, together with Union, is one of the most successful teams in the calendar year 2024. This way, Malinwa can even aim for a ticket for the Champions’ Play-offs.

With that goal in mind, Mechelen started the game with the most determination. Against the last in the score, KV demanded the ball and was able to threaten with Foulon, but he did not keep the overview. A little later, Mrabti could not find Slimani in the box, the signal for Kortrijk to react cautiously. A shot from De Neve whizzed wildly over Coucke’s cage.

Antonio breaks the spell

After half an hour, the Mechelen attack was finally able to push through. After a corner for the visitors, Antonio cleverly won the header from Kadri in midfield, with which he reached Schoofs. The captain in turn sent the lightning-fast Zimbabwean into the depths. Antonio remained cool, face to face with goalkeeper Vanderberghe and scored his third goal of the season. The most difficult task was accomplished: quickly get that 1-0 lead.

Malinwa was visibly liberated and five minutes later it was almost hit again. After another quick counter, Hairemans was released via a one-two between Slimani and Antonio. He took a hard swing with his left but hit the crossbar. The home team almost took a 2-0 lead before halftime.

Photo: BELGIAN

Deadly efficient

The second half started brightly. The home team continued smoothly on the momentum of the first half and was able to threaten twice through Antonio and Mrabti. The visitors were clearly warned. Davies deflected a ball from Mehsattou towards Coucke, who quickly went flat and thus prevented the crucial equalizer.

Kortrijk did try to create some opportunities, but lacked creativity and efficiency in the zone of truth. Malinwa also went along with the pace of the visitors and faded somewhat in the game. Hasi intervened and brought in two creative guys, Storm and Pflücke. Yet the balance remained the same: Kortrijk tried but could not threaten, Mechelen could threaten but did not want to.

KV Mechelen continues to rage in 2024: Malinwa is too strong for small KV Kortrijk and keeps the top six in his sights

Photo: BELGIAN

Three quarters of the game gone and the Kakkers could threaten again. Pflücke was able to lash out at the edge of the penalty area and forced Vandenberghe into a nice save. A few minutes later, the German winger’s intervention was rewarded. He delivered the ball hard, which then clumsily fell into his own goal via goalkeeper Vandenberghe. Wim Smet intervened as VAR because the ball might have gone over the line, but after much deliberation he still approved the goal. Malinwa at 2-0, job done for the home team against a small but motivated Kortrijk.

The score was even increased. Substitute Bafdili scored his first goal in the Jupiler Pro League, with some help from the goal post. A harsh verdict for the guys who certainly showed motivation. Mechelen is thus virtually within three points of the Champions’ Play-offs, Kortrijk is doing a bad job Achter De Kazerne and remains at the last place in the rankings with 18 points.

KV Mechelen continues to rage in 2024: Malinwa is too strong for small KV Kortrijk and keeps the top six in his sights

Foto: Isosport

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