Croky Cup – matchday 1 – 24/01/24 – 8.32pm
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3′
Youssef Maziz
3′
Youssef Maziz
1 – 0
9′
Vincenzo Janssen
1 – 1
Vincenzo Janssen
9′
19′
Vincenzo Janssen
1 – 2
Vincenzo Janssen
19′
55′
Zeno Van Den Bosch
1 – 3
Zeno Van Den Bosch
55′
81′
Mathieu Maertens
81′
Mathieu Maertens
2 – 3
A splendid cup match with the winners Antwerp. In a game full of goals, OH Leuven sold their skin at a high price to the reigning champion. Maziz opened the scoring early for the home team, but Janssen quickly responded with two goals. Van Den Bosch gave Antwerp, without Vermeeren, a double bonus. Although the 2-3 and Janssen’s red card still caused a bit of tension.
Antwerp – OHL in brief:
Man of the Match: Vincent Janssen is thriving in his new role as shadow striker and attacking midfielder. The Antwerp striker was omnipresent in possession and also capitalized on that excellent performance with two goals. In the end he got the second yellow card, but his influence today was too great for it to be a decisive factor.
Egregious: The match was overshadowed early by Arthur Vermeeren’s impending transfer. To avoid taking further risks, the young Red Devil was ultimately excluded from the selection. Yet he was allowed to sit on the bench as an interim equipment man.
Facts: Antwerp progresses to the semi-finals and will meet second division KV Oostende. Dying off the field, but for the moment poised between the lines.
There is no time to mourn Arthur Vermeeren’s impending transfer.
After three minutes in the quarterfinals of the Croky Cup, Antwerp has already been confronted with facts by the OHL. As if Muja also dreamed of the Madrid sun, he childishly lost his first ball. Maziz takes advantage and scores the first goal on goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
First the week of the Golden Shoe celebrations, then the week of Vermeeren… Has it all been a bit much for the Grand Old Man lately?
NO. There are still some certainties in Mark van Bommel’s team and that is: Vincent Janssen.
In his new role as attacking midfielder/attacker, he ingeniously fills the space between the defense and the opposition’s midfield. After seven minutes he received a gift from the spot and another seven minutes later he made a complete comeback with an impeccable long-range shot: 1-2.
Antwerp then maintained control of the ball – despite some convulsions from Leuven – and appeared to completely silence the home team immediately after the break. After a misunderstanding between goalkeeper Leysen and defender Pletinckx, Zeno Van Den Bosch can unwrap a new gift.
The Grand Old Man seemed to be freewheeling towards the semi-finals, but due to a ferocious late attack from the home team, an accompanying goal from substitute Mathieu Maertens and a final red card from Janssen, there was still some of shaking and trembling for the visitors at the end.
At the liberating final whistle, coach Vermeeren also breathed a deep sigh of relief, being able to say goodbye in peace to the club that raised him.
Read or view all comments:
Zeno Van Den Bosch: “Three years ago I scored again, a very good feeling. We also conceded a quick goal, but then we played well in the first half. We also started well after the break and it was me “We a corner kick followed well (laughs). Then we let them get back into the game, but it was above all thanks to them. They put us in difficulty. Now we have to get the three points against Ostend, because we certainly don’t like them and they underestimate them.”
Mandela Keita: “It wasn’t an easy match. Leuven gave a good performance, but we managed to demonstrate our value as a team. We really gave everything. And now Ostend, everyone saw what they did in the previous round, so we absolutely must not underestimate them.”
On the transfer Arthur Vermeeren: “Let’s hope he stays”, winks Keita. “No, no. I wish him that move from the bottom of my heart and I will certainly miss him. He really deserves to take that step after everything he has already demonstrated at a young age.”
Siebe Schrijvers: “I have mixed feelings. We took the lead quickly, but conceded a stupid goal that brought them back into the game. Then we made another mistake. I’m happy that we showed the right mentality and they did it” “It’s quite difficult. Every fan still believed in the draw. And we too on the bench and on the pitch, you could see this in our play, I think. We have to adopt this mentality.”
Phase by phase
END: 2-3
In the end it was a nail-biting battle for Antwerp, but the Great Old reached the semi-finals of the Croky Cup against KV Oostende after a good game. Leuven can count on its resilience to prove itself again in the competition.
Maziz directs the last hope free kick against the wall. Again and again for the OHL?
Almost a penalty for Leuven
From hero to antihero? Janssen abruptly overwhelms a Louvain resident at the edge of the large rectangle. The Dutch striker, already the scorer of a brace, gets himself sent off and concedes another free kick in a particularly dangerous point.
The OHL’s final offensive still makes Antwerp tremble and tremble. After a attempted corner kick, Schingtienne cuts the ball towards the goal. Senne Lammens resists.
Van Bommel enters the pitch with a lot of confusion and receives a yellow card. This shows that in Antwerp they are suddenly nervous.
Peter Vandenbempt on Radio 1
Mathieu Maertens is here again. The substitute has gained confidence and shoots on goal from the edge of the large rectangle, but this time his cannonball dies in the arms of Lammens. Antwerp breathes a sigh of relief.
OHL Goals: 2-3
Mathieu Martens does what he was brought onto the pitch for: scoring. The OH Leuven captain receives a cross that flies high and spins the ball perfectly – from a very acute angle – into the net. We have another competition.
This is only the second quarter-final in the history of the Leuven club, but a sequel does not seem to be expected immediately.
Peter Vandenbempt on Radio 1
2024-01-24 23:41:07
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