Debuting head coach Heleen Jaques ends 2023 with Club YLA’s 3-0 derby victory against Zulte Waregem and shared third place: “Very sharp in the zone of truth”

Women’s Football Super League Club YLA – Zulte Waregem

Heleen Jaques (right) saw Davinia Vanmechelen (left) score the 2-0. — © Bart Vandenbroucke

Brugge

Club YLA scored its fifth three-pointer in six matches with its 3-0 win in the derby against Zulte Waregem on Saturday and has been undefeated since the beginning of October. Coach Heleen Jaques looks back on the derby and the first round of blue-black.

On the half hour, Club YLA dealt a first uppercut to the locals via Isabelle Iliano, followed shortly afterwards by Davinia Vanmechelen’s 2-0. “We tried to pin Essevee high and that worked quite well, but we couldn’t keep the ball in the team long enough,” said Heleen Jaques. “Our first big chance was immediately successful. A nice action by Celien Guns was rounded off by Isabelle Iliano, who also showed up. Shortly afterwards, Davinia Vanmechelen scored the 2-0, but the experience against Anderlecht taught us that the match is certainly not over yet. That turned out to be the case, as Zulte Waregem took over in the second half. Our goalkeeper Jorijn Covent had to make some excellent saves and our defenders also had to intervene alertly a number of times. In the final phase we relieved the tension through a coolly converted penalty from Rania Boutiebi. In retrospect, it was a deserved three-pointer. We showed ourselves very sharply in the zone of truth, but at the same time I am also critical. We have to be much better with the ball than what we showed in the derby.”

Time

After the 0-2 defeat against AA Gent, Club YLA recorded a perfect report, except for the 2-2 against national champion Anderlecht. Heleen Jaques praises the evolution of her team and wants to continue this in 2024. “Not that we were that bad against Ghent, but sometimes you have to take a beating to come back stronger. In addition, it is logical that it took us a while before the train finally left. A new staff, new principles and automatisms instilled in the team, it all takes some time. The most important thing is that the players have picked up things very well and that is now also reflected in the results. Some relative rest will do us good now and then we will start the new calendar year very hungry.”

Heleen Jaques ends the first half of her debut season as club coach with Club YLA in a nice third place. “We are very proud of that and we will work hard to raise our level after New Year. I am very happy with the choice I made. Make no mistake, it is at least as intense as I had previously estimated. At the same time, it is very educational and fun to be on the field among the players every day.”

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