AFTER CLEAN SHEET IN BRUSSELS

PROFILE OPPONENT * FC M BRUSSELS S.

WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2010

8 PM (cet)

EDMOND MACHTENS STADIUM

Despite the controversial chairman Vermeersch locking away his chequebook these days, the team of the capital look more than capable of retaining their place in the Exqi League.  Boasting a promising young manager in Christophe Dessy and an attacking approach to the game, don’t be at all surprised if they even creep in to contention for a play-off berth this season.  Although Brussels aren’t overloaded with players who can get goals, crucially, they don’t rely on one player.  With 9 goals for Lutula and Dalibor Veselinovic and 3 goals from midfield dynamo Tohoua Brussels aren’t exactly goal-shy. 

Dessy is aware of the shortcomings and acknowledged that he needs more players to “give us a chance”.  The Brussels manager is renowned for prevaricating in the market but even by his standards business has been slow.  Chairman Vermeersch first and foremost want to offload some of his big earners before the manager will get a yes to do his wheeling and dealing.  Central defence and central midfield are the biggest areas of concern with Charlet, Fellahi, Culek and Matumona leaving huge holes to fill.  There are no like-for-like replacements either, with neither Nollevaux nor Le Postollec blessed with Zola Matumona’s composure.

Our next opponents squad is so threadbare that the merest sign of an injury must send a shiver down Dessy’s spine.  Having operated with fewer players than other Exqi League outfits the declarations of the chairman will mean that Brussels will become lighter still.  Thus it must come as a relief to the manager that a promising group of youngsters is emerging including defenders Geoffrey Cabeke and Heris, in midfield Anthony Cabeke is one player who caught the eye before the winter break.

Although there is little doubt that FC Brussels have the pace and power going forward to unsettle opponents (remember the first leg!), particularly when Tohoua is supplying the ammunition.  But it has to be said that one area where Dessy doesn’t have options is up front.  He is expected to play two from Coppin, French striker Coulibaly and Lutula from Congo, although most punters say that the team of the capital are arguably at their most effective when playing in a 4-5-1 formation with Veselinovic supporting the lone striker.

As it is, they have an outside chance of establishing themselves among the top order, as long as the gaffer can significantly add to his squad.  Even then, though, it cannot be taken for granted.  Needless to say that this tie will be a crowd-pleaser so Brussels will have a big revenue and their average gate will go upwards with the presence of a 500+ contingent from Royal Antwerp.

Founded : 1933
Address : Karel Malisstraat 61 – 1080 Brussel
Stadium : Edmond Machtens (11 266)
Ticket Office : 02/411 69 86
Website : www.fc-brussels.be
Kit Colours : red-black shirt, black short
Main Sponsor : Vermeersch Construct
Budget : 1 million euro
Chairman : Johan Vermeersch
Gaffer : Christophe Dessy (° 08/03/1966) – manager career : KBVB (1997-1999, youth), AS Nancy (Fra, 1999-2004, assistant and director youth Academy), Standard (2004-2007, director youth Academy), RAEC Bergen (2007-05/2009), FC M Brussels S. (from 07/2009).

SIX HAVE TO FEAT NEXT YELLOW

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-THREE

With Setti and Pivaljevic in the central role of midfield we all like to marvel at what is happening to the ball during a football match when both missed chances they created themselves, the former in the first half and King Darko in the second half.  But trust me with the team composition as it was most coaches are concentrating on their team’s shape and what might happen should they lose that ball.  An astute manager as Colin Andrews will spend hours working with his players on the best ways of winning back possession. It is a team as a whole who most understand where and when to pressurise the ball and you will notice that most teams in the Exqi League will immediately revert to a 4-5-1. That involves hard-working strikers supporting midfielders. Last Saturday we had that in abundance and if Manu Kenmogne would have converted a spot-kick in the dying minutes we had prevented a stubborn RAEC Mons side to obtain their seventh clean sheet in this campaign!

At the top of the Exqi League everything remains the same, K.A.S. Eupen couldn’t hold at home a 3-1 winning margin against lowly K.S.K. Ronse and a minority of Eupen fans showed then unsportsmanship behaviour by throwing bottles, coins and others onto the Ronse bus which didn’t leave until midnight in the Eastern part of Belgium.  The leader of the league K. Lierse S.K. didn’t take advantage at newcomers and season revelation KS Wetteren, they could only manage a high scoring draw.

Our next opponent FC M Brussels S. won the derby at FCV Dender EH thanks to the ninth strike of the season from midfielder Veselinovic and KV Ostend thrashed whipping boys RFC de Liège with a 5-0 scoreline whereby two goals from strikers sensation Mokulu who played his last game for the coastal side, Benjamin opted to play the remainder of the season in the highest tier of Belgian football at relegation strugglers Lokeren OV.

On Sunday afternoon KV Turnhout with new coach Luc Beyens at the helm held on for a well deserved and hard-fought draw at Den Dreef against a lacklustre OH Leuven team.  Two sendings-off and two goals in the space of two minutes saw neither team hovering up the table.

PROFILE OPPONENT * RAEC MONS

SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2010

8 PM (cet)

BOSUIL

What if there is a cult computer game called Exqi League manager which does just what it says on the tin.  Every minute detail is sitting there, waiting to be tinkered with by a wannabe boss.  From setting up scouting systems, to negotiating contracts, to buying players, to selecting a team, to playing an actual match.  Which mean there is a whole generation of geeks who think managing an Exqi League club is a doddle.  So come on then.  What would you footballing stats nerds give as advice to Geert Broeckaert, the gaffer of RAEC Mons?

Our next opponent were relegated from the Jupiler League last term and are hoping to bounce back on the first occasion. But this is not the same squad that went down last season, this big squad is much better, RAEC Mons should flourish back as ordinary Jupiler League side like ex-Wolves striker Roussel become great again. Expect the division’s best strike partnership, what high profiled names are concerned, Roussel and Jarju, to help themselves to a pile of goals after the winter break, while ex- Belgian international goalkeeper Tristan Peersman keeps them out at the other end.

Last season the budget for the Walloon based team was something about 6m € in the top tier of Belgian football, this year the budget in the second tier is a whopping 3.5m €. Further the team is backed by influential local political bosses who set up a spanky new Tondreaustadium which holds 10,000 but is even half empty when they take on the top sides in the Exqi League. And then there is the small matter that RAEC Mons received a wad of cash from departing players such as defender Buysens, midfielders Cordaro, Ragued, Brahami and Collet while striker Oris left the club to play for the Great Old. But with this enormous budget RAEC Mons were also big spenders by drafting in goalkeepers Peersman and De Vlamynck, defenders Sankaré, Demets and Timmermans, midfielders Van Imschoot, Grondin and DR Congo international Zola Matumona and at last they raided FC M Brussels S with the acquisition of striker Sanogo.

Are RAEC Mons an outside bet to be crowned champions come May, it remains to be seen how that embarrassing spell last Autumn which led to the sacking of former manager Rudi Cossey will affect the Dragons. Now that new manager Geert Broeckaert steadied the ship, RAEC Mons must hit the ground running and improve their away form. On Saturday striker Gueye and utility player Grondin will be sidelined due to a suspension. Will RAEC Mons go for a seventh clean sheet at De Bosuil? Wait and see…

Founded : 1910
FA number : 44
Address : Avenue du Tir 80 – 7000 Bergen/Mons
Stadium : Charles Tondreau ( 10 150)
Ticket Office : 065/22 11 11
Website : www.raec-mons.be
Kit Colours : red shirt, white short, red socks
Budget : last season in first division 6,2 m €, this season 3,5 m €
Main Sponsor : Holcim
Chairman : Domenico Leone
Gaffer : Geert Broeckaert ( ° 15/11/1960)
Honours : winner play-offs second division 2002, title second division 2006.

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-TWO

K. Lierse S.K. thrashed OH Leuven with a 5-0 scoreline at the Lisp on Saturday evening. And it was Wahed’s evening, he capped a great performance by scoring three goals and this all with a family bereavement in mind, his father passed away on Friday night. The two other goals came from the Exqi League’s topscorer Cavens who has now scored fifteen times in this campaign.  Further important news is that K Lierse SK did strengthen their squad with the acquisition of ex-Royal Antwerpboy van Hemert and from R Excelsior Mouscron experienced left-back or left-midfielder Gonzague Vandooren joined the Real Madrid of our league.

At the same time new K.S.K. Beveren coach Penneman who replaced the sacked ex-Stoke City manager Jan Boskamp marked his first game in charge with a 1-1 draw at home to highflying K.A.S. Eupen.  After 65’ the strong Eupen defense cracked when ex-Panda Rentmeister blasted the ball home. There was an undeserved late equaliser when a marking error became fatal as Mombongo finished it off.  So, a reborn K.S.K. Beveren gains confidence and with new targetman Abdullei they hope to reach mid-table obscurity as soon as possible.

Despite a barrage of Royal FC de Liège pressure come the second half, a tight game was settled by Bourabia’s instinctive strike in the 6th minute. KV RS Waasland getting a threepointer on the road and Quaranta now hopes that the new Brazilians and old Standardman Ali Lukunku will score the necessary goals and that the addition of goalkeeper Van der Jeugt will keep them out at the other side.

Our next opponent RAEC Mons secured their ninth win of the season thanks to goals from Sankaré, new acquisition Oussalé, midfield dynamo Van Imschoot and Diane.  KS Wetteren gave the Dragons an early scare by scoring after 5 minutes through Van Damme but the home team supported by a meagre crowd of just 920 spectators and playing without Jay and Demets took control of the game in a spell of 20 exciting second-half minutes.

In the upper echelon of the table AFC Tubize won at K.V.K. Tienen with goals from Steens and Da Silva proving there is still life after the departure of star striker Perbet to Jupiler League side Lokeren.  Two other Exqi League games ended in a draw, K.S.K. Ronse and K.V. Ostend shared the spoils 1-1 at the Orphale Cruckestadium and Royal F.C. Tournai against  FCV Dender EH ended in a dour stalemate.

The games KVSK United–RBD Borinage and FC M Brussels S.–Royal Antwerp were postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Both games (ours at the capital) will be played Wednesday 27th January @ 8.00 PM CET. 

This Saturday evening Royal Antwerp entertain RAEC Mons at De Bosuil.  Let the action begin!

FIXTURE LATEST

12:15 P.M. (cet)   Thursday Jan. 14th   2:30 P.M. (cet)

Of course, newspapers abhor a vacuum, so we found ourselves in by drifts of articles calling for an immediate switch to summer football.  As more than one writer declared, ‘common sense’ demands it. What common sense would that be, then?  Would it be the same faculty that catches so many people out when they get the Trivial Pursuit question which asks whether the Earth is closer to the sun in January or July?  The mental process never takes long to whirr around on that one.  January cold, July hot – therefore the Earth must be closer to the sun in July.  Wrong.  The question demands a counterintuitive answer and the realisation that January is a summer month on the other side of the world, just ask Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters who are now performing at their peak in Australia!

Enough of Kim and Justine but if you use the same simplistic – make that simple-minded – logic, summer football must be better and more attractive than winter football.  After all, people may tolerate cold, but they prefer warmth, so crowds would increase in summer and the standard of play would be better, just like the pitches who have no undersoil heating at Exqi League grounds.  Even in the highest tier of Belgian football only a few clubs have undersoil heating meaning almost all the Jupiler League ties are called off due to the adverse weather conditions affecting Belgium in recent weeks!

Although the flaw in the aforementioned proposition is basic – there is simply no evidence that spectators will turn up in greater numbers in Belgium for a season that begins in February and ends in November.  Nor do Eastern European f.i. Russian Premjer or Scandinavian f.i. Swedish Allsvensken leagues offer helpful examples.

So, the FC M Brussels S. fixture of this weekend has been postponed at the Edmond Machtensstadium, a new date has now been agreed, the tie will be played at Wednesday January 27th @ 8pm CET.

Below you find the list with all the remaining fixtures until the end of the season, except for the game in the Vedettestadium at RBD Borinage that has to be rescheduled with the approval of both teams.  Please, please, let the action begin!

Sat. 23/01/2010	8.00 PM	R Antwerp FC - RAEC Mons
We. 27/01/2010	8.00 PM	FC M Brussels - R Antwerp FC
Sat. 30/01/2010	8.00 PM	RFC Doornik -  R Antwerp FC
We. 03/02/2010	8.30 PM	R Antwerp FC - FCV Dender EH
Sat. 06/02/2010	8.00 PM	R Antwerp FC - RFC Luik
Sat. 13/02/2010	8.00 PM	KSK Ronse - R Antwerp FC
We. 17/02/2010	8.00 PM	KS Wetteren - R Antwerp FC
Sat. 20/02/2010	8.00 PM	R Antwerp FC - KSK Beveren
Sat. 27/02/2010	6.00 PM	KVSK United OL - R Antwerp FC
Sat. 06/03/2010	8.00 PM	R Antwerp FC - KVK Tienen
Sat. 13/03/2010	8.00 PM	KV Turnhout -  R Antwerp FC
We. 17/03/2010	8.30 PM	R Antwerp FC - K Lierse SK
We. 24/03/2010	8.00 PM	R BD Borinage - R Antwerp FC
Sat. 27/03/2010	8.00 PM	AFC Tubeke -  R Antwerp FC
Sat. 03/04/2010	8.00 PM	R Antwerp FC - R BD Borinage
Sun. 11/04/2010	3.00 PM	KV Oostende -  R Antwerp FC
We. 14/04/2010	8.00 PM	R Antwerp FC - KAS Eupen
Sat. 17/04/2010	8.00 PM	KV RS Waasland -  R Antwerp FC
Sun. 25/04/2010	3.00 PM	R Antwerp FC - OH Leuven
Sun. 02/05/2010	3.00 PM	FCV Dender EH - R Antwerp FC

DAY 21 POSTPONED

For the third time in a row all matches of Exqi League were postponed. Royal Antwerp will not play K Lierse SK on Wednesday January 13th 2010.

‘HUDDLE UP, THIS IS OUR YEAR’

And, deep down, the above sentiment is exactly how fans and players up and down Belgium will feel as they roar into their opening fixtures on Jan 9. Although Exqi League supporters like their football to be bone-chillingly cold, rimed with frost, laced with blizzards and hung with icicles there’s a strong possibility the games will be postponed to a later date.  In Great Britain those conditions could be blithely ignored by the assembly of 70,000+ crowds at the Theatre of Dreams due to undersoil heating making the pitches playable but in Belgium, of course, newspapers abhor a vacuum, so we found ourselves hemmed in by drifts of articles calling for an immediate switch to summer football and this in the first year of Christmas football in the Jupiler League, the highest tier in Belgian footie!!!

But if they go ahead we roar into our opening fixture at KS Wetteren on Sunday because for at least 1,500 die-hards making the trip it’s always been the way to support the team, even if common sense tells them otherwise.  Why else would we bother turning up?  As the nights get shorter, our team’s prospects will usually become bleaker or, with any luck, brighter.  But as reality bites – either way- the return legs of the 2009/2010 campaign will become no less significant, whether you’re chasing promotion, a title, the play-offs, survival or just local bragging rights. 

If you’re fearing the worst, just remember that last season K.A.S. Eupen didn’t have a prayer of surviving in January.  Look at them now, joint-leader of the Exqi League and going from strength to strength.  Yes, in football, hope springs eternal – so even if you’re crying tears of pain rather than tears of joy come May, there’s always the World Cup finals in South Africa to soften the blow.   As tradition tells our performances and results will improve in 2010 and a new participation for the play-offs must be the number one target for Colin Andrews’ boys.

Although there’s a credit crunch worldwide Real Madrid kicked off the season by spending enough money to fund the whole transfer market, Manchester City began “blowing everybody out of the water” with their wages, well the equivalent of those clubs in the Exqi League are big spenders K. Lierse S.K. (investment from Wadi Degla Group from Egypt), K.A.S. Eupen (rich Italian investors) and RAEC Mons (backed by influential local political bosses) together with surprise package KVSK United (played in First Division as Lommel), one of those teams will be crowned Exqi League champion come May. 

So even for fans in the second tier of Belgian football it seems it’s all about splashing the cash.  Greatest hope for the future of most clubs have the sample answer: “We get bought by a billionaire fan”.  The advice for the manager is to spend more of the billionaire/chairman’s money.  In football, as in life it seems, money won’t make you happy, but it certainly helps.  But what makes us love this crazy game, especially at this time of the year, is that it makes us follow our hearts instead of our minds.  If it didn’t, then everybody bar the biggest spenders might as well pack their things and go home before a ball has even been kicked.  Whether it’s £80m for Cristiano Ronaldo or a little sum for our homegrown player Ritchie De Laet, that money will only buy you two arms, two legs, two eyes- and one eleventh of a football team. 

So, in a sense, we’re all equals. And it’s for this reason that we will play the remainder of the season with hope – and a willingness to spend our own hard-earned cash, even if that billionaire won’t spend his. Let the action begin!

FIRST TRAINING FOR THE GREAT OLD

The holidays are over for the players of R. Antwerp F.C., who were to attend their first training on January 2nd. After the relative ease of family gatherings, the professionals of our club now had to run, move, jump, sprint and kick under the watchfull eyes of coaches Colin Andrews and Guy Vandecauter. The coaches were well equipped against the furious coldness, as well as most of the players. Yannick Put was slightly injured (foot) but proceeded with the training anyhow. While Geoffry Hairemans is still proving himself in the Academy of Manchester United, rumour has it that Manu Kenmogne's wife gave birth only recently. Denial or confirmation will be communicated as soon as possible!
Whether or not the Royal Antwerp lads suffered from winter break will be shown this Tuesday, when they meet KSK Heist in a friendly game in Wijnegem. Kick-off is set at 7.30 pm. And of course we at Royal Antwerp Football Club would like to wish everyone all the best for 2010, the 130th anniversary of the Great Old!

POSTPONED

Due to bad weather all matches of Exqi League day 19 were postponed. Royal Antwerp will play KFC Dender EH on Wednesday February 3rd 2010.

BEN(JAMIN) BACK ON DUTY

l e a g u e   y e l l o w

3:Roel van Hemert, Spencer Verbiest, Benjamin Lambot.

2:Thomas Phibel (26.08.2009 + 29.08.2009), Matthias Trenson (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Ransford Addo (19.09.2009 + 02.10.2009), Bart De Corte (04.09.2009 + 18.10.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009 + 25.10.2009).

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009), Darko Pivaljevic (08.11.2009), Ray Fränkel (21.11.2009), Kevin Oris (13.12.2009), Emmerik De Vriese (13.12.2009).

SUMMARY DAY EIGHTEEN

Gaffer Colin Andrews praises youngster Geoffry Hairemans after his first goal for Royal Antwerp

Royal Antwerp Football Club know better than anyone how hard it is to change a perception, but our caretaker boss Colin Andrews is doing his best in shifting the image of overpaid glamour pusses with no spirit or passion, it seems the process will take a little longer with some of the other Exqi-League outfits.  Colin’s requirement at Den Dreef : a win.  The result is paramount.  He talked of “no room for slip-ups” and continues to preach the virtues of the precise passing game.  In a high quality match we conceded a goal due to a marking error but still played decent football stuff certainly after taking an early lead through Hairemans.  A real cup game ended in a hard-fought draw.

Royal FC de Liège boss Raphaël Quaranta meanwhile admitted the tragi-comedy at Le Payray reminds him of Fawlty Towers. Our former player made it abundantly clear that he is deeply concerned about the future of the club, the Belgian FA number four seem destined for a relegation dogfight this season. The club with no stadium of his own is in turmoil but surely the fantastic support are owed some sort of explanation.  The club is in a mess and Raffa admitted that the players are concerned about the future but he cannot provide the answers they are looking for. RFCL stay rock-bottom and a dour stalemate at Royal Boussu Dour won’t help a lot, only bundles of cash in the January transfer window will do!

At the top eveything remains the same, K. Lierse S.K. and K.A.S. Eupen won their respective games as expected and KVSK United are just one point behind the leaders in third spot with a home win against lowly K.V.K. Tienen, prolific striker Ketting and midfielder Brouwers once again on the scoresheet.

PROFILE OPPONENT * O.H. LEUVEN

Sunday 13 December 2009 - 3.00 PM (c.e.t.)

         

Referees: Stephane Gleton - Bernard Lepage - Michel Demaeseneer

Jean-Pierre Vande Velde once boasted, “the club I couldn’t turn around has yet to be built”.  It increasingly looks like it has been built, atop an imposing hill above Leuven city centre.  After succeeding Rudi Cossey and Marc Wuyts whose rocky start last term saw them struggle for survival it was the former FCV Dender EH supremo that led our next opponent to their lowest-ever finish in the Belgian second division with only 46 points out of 36 games.  Certainly not enough for the commercial and political bosses OHL always can rely on.  From the moment JPV was installed his target was a team that could challenge for honours, at previous clubs JPV could always make title-winners out of nothing.

O.H. Leuven has received some transfer funds by selling right-back Odoi but didn’t manage to offload Jarakovic and this gives the gaffer not enough room to manoeuvre because with this limited ressources prudence remains a watchword in the city known for his famous university and beer.  Leuven fans were not so much concerned about relegation as bored last season and the manager appears to have acknowledged the problem by promising that the team will ditch their direct style of play to robust striker Ruytinx and become a more attractive prospect.  But with injuries for strikers Weuts and Ruytinx and midfield dynamo Lino he will opt for Eboigbe and Sakanoko.  Further attacking option is normally Bétrémieux but the French goalmachine is serving the second week off from a three week suspension after hitting an opponent in the Waasland game.

O.H. Leuven have two reliable goalkeepers in Desomberg and his deputy Ruttens, in defense Vaesen and former Antwerpplayer Oliseh must deliver clean sheets together with ever-present captain Joeri Vastmans.  In midfield Annijs and Debroux are proven at Exqi-League level and Van Steenbrugghe with Calvo are getting a lot of playing time in recent weeks.  Needless to say that a 1000+ fans contingent will travel to Leuven to give Colin Andrews’ men the support they need.

Founded : 2002
FA number : 6142
Address : ‘Den Dreef’ – Kardinaal Mercierlaan 46 – 3001 Heverlee
Stadium : Den Dreef (9016)
Ticket Office : 016/22 85 08
Website : www.ohl.be
Kit Colours : white shirt, white short, white socks
Main Sponsor : Option
Budget : 2 million euro
Chairman : Henri Kumps
Gaffer : Jean-Pierre Vande Velde (° 10/09/1955) – manager career : Lombeek (1983-1986), CS Vorst (1986-1987), K.V.K. Tienen (1987-1990), RSC Anderlecht (1990-1992, assistant), Eendracht Aalst (1992-1993), K.V.K. Tienen (1993-1995), St. Wetteren (1995-1997), Standard (1997-1998, assistant), Strombeek (1998-1999), Oud-Heverlee (1999-2002), OHL (2002-2004), FC Denderleeuw (2004-01/2005), K.V.K. Tienen (01/2005-05/2005), FCV Dender EH (2005-11/2007), FCN Sint-Niklaas 01/2008-04/2008), KV Ostend (07/2008-03/2009), Oud-Heverlee Leuven (from 03/2009-?).

THREE TIMES A YELLOW CARD

l e a g u e   y e l l o w

3:Roel van Hemert, Spencer Verbiest, Benjamin Lambot (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009 + 05.08.2009).

2:Thomas Phibel (26.08.2009 + 29.08.2009), Matthias Trenson (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Ransford Addo (19.09.2009 + 02.10.2009), Bart De Corte (04.09.2009 + 18.10.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009 + 25.10.2009).

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009), Ray Fränkel (21.11.2009).

SUMMARY DAY SEVENTEEN

The quality of the training at Royal Antwerp Football Club has been pinpointed as a reason for much of our success this past two difficult games away to K.A.S. Eupen and the recent home tie against KV Red Star Waasland.  The fifth strike of the season for Emmanuel Kenmogne and the sixth goal this year from sub Tisza after the break ensured the victory for caretaker boss Andrews’ men.  Waasland’s neat approach play lacked a finishing touch and at the press conference their gaffer stated : “We played some good football and even created several chances but it’s all about being clinical, isn’t it?”  With this win we’re occupying ninth spot in the Exqi-League ranking and also have one game in hand to close the gap at the play-off places.

The clash of the titans sometimes dubbed on terrestrial TV as an Egypt-Italy tie because of the investors splashing the cash at both teams saw home team K. Lierse S.K. played out a 2-2 draw against joint leaders K.A.S. Eupen. It was obvious that neither team wanted to lose, the home side fell behind quite early via a marking error whereby Milisevic profited from a lot of space behind the back line. Cavens levelled before the break with a spot-kick and immediately after the break Dreesen brought a packed to the rafters Lisp stadium into delirium. Twenty minutes before the end Maric towered above a static defense and headed home a deserved equaliser for the visiting side.

KVSK United are not only proving people wrong this season, they are also shattering a few stereotypes along the way. The club have been praised and slighted in almost equal measure for a supposed fascination with cavalier, attacking football, but a team resurrected by Franky Van Der Elst is climbing up the table and team-in-form in the current Exqi-League season with clean sheets as well as goals. After the win at K.S.K. Ronse they are in third spot just trailing the frontrunners with one point.

Chairman Verelst from relegation candidates K.S.K. Beveren will go on a spending spree in the January transfer window and is looking for strikers who can hit the net because his team was once again the better in general play, but it wasn’t enough to hold the three points at the Freethiel against lowly K.V.K. Tienen.

PROFILE OPPONENT * KV RED STAR WAASLAND

Saturday 5 December 2009 - 8.00 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Philipppe Flament - Cedric Waroux - Geert Simoens

Could this be the first season when KV Red Star Waasland go backwards under gaffer Bart De Roover?  Last term they finished fourth in the Exqi-League but unless there is a flurry of transfer activity it is difficult to believe the ex-Belgian international can manage it for a second season on the trot.  De Roover is already a good manager and isn’t far off completing a side in his own image – extremely competitive and capable of producing explosively attractive football.  But there is the small matter of living with the departure of the leader of the goalscorer chart last season, Hervé Ndjana Onana who left the Waaslanders to join promoted club STVV and new strikers partnership of Sampil and Kielo-Lezi must score the necessary goals to give our next opponent an outside chance to reach the play-offs.

So, due to a worrying lack of new signings, the portents are not too promising and De Roover is aware of the shortcomings and acknowledged the last couple of weeks that he lacks something in his squad.  The defense comprising Masureel, Raymaekers, Van Hoey and Veldeman were beaten too easily, too often this Exqi-League season.  Can a certain benchwarmer and old Antwerpboy Elejiko come to the rescue?  In contrast a midfield with players such as Bourabia, Bou-Sfia, Van Geele and Neve can prise open most defences.  If the strikers Sampil and Kielo-Lezi can reach double digits this year an astute manager and brilliant motivator as De Roover can focus on finishing in the upper echelon of the Belgian second division. 

The big change with last year is that the Waasland manager directly took control and stated his aim of reducing the average age of his squad, older players have been superseded by longer-term planning.  Youngsters such as Heuvinck, Dyck and Paulussen are eagerly waiting at their chance to prove themselves against more experienced opponents.

Founded : 1936
FA number : 4068
Address : Watermolenstraat 104 – 9100 Sint-Niklaas
Stadium : Puyenbeke (6 500)
Ticket Office : 03/776 32 00
Website : www.rswaasland.be
Kit Colours : yellow-red shirt, red short, yellow socks
Budget : 1,5 million euro
Chairman : Melchior Roosens
Gaffer : Bart De Roover (° 21/08/1967)- manager career : KFC Wuustwezel (2001-2003),
R Cappellen FC (2003-2008), KV Red Star Waasland (from 07/2008-?).

NO CHANGES AFTER WEEKEND AT EUPEN

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3:Roel van Hemert, Spencer Verbiest.

2:Benjamin Lambot (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Thomas Phibel (26.08.2009 + 29.08.2009), Matthias Trenson (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Ransford Addo (19.09.2009 + 02.10.2009), Bart De Corte (04.09.2009 + 18.10.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009 + 25.10.2009).

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009), Ray Fränkel (21.11.2009).

SUMMARY DAY SIXTEEN

K.A.S. Eupen manager, reeling from his team’s defeat at KS Wetteren, had watch the talent show one week ago looking for some light relief, only for the result against a young, vibrant Royal Antwerp side to exacerbate his stress levels.  On Saturday evening at the Kehrwegstadium we lost our early momentum as the game wore on and Eupen ended the first half in the ascendancy.  Goals from Vervaeke and Mombongo gave both teams a hard-fought point and caretaker boss Colin Andrews was excited that he could transmit his belief and passion onto the players. In the current season our opponent maintained a low profile, made a good start of the season, rest players where possible and were extremely lucky with injuries but with only 24 goals made thus far aren’t getting value for money from their highly praised attacking options such as Mombongo, Obradovic, Aubameyang and French ace Lepiller. Are the Italian investors going to splash the cash in the January transfer window to sign another proven goalscorer in the Exqi-League or are the most valued assets of the team chosing other horizons?

Wait and see but thanks to the stalemate in the Eastern part of Belgium, the Real Madrid of the league with Egyptian investors backing them did their job and got three valuable points at Royal Boussu Dour Borinage against stubborn Walloon opposition whose respect for the bigger names in the Lierse squad proved too big and it was once again the deadly duo of Cavens and Radzinski doing the business for the club with the highest budget of the second division.  On Friday and live on terrestrial television a mouth-watering K. Lierse S.K. versus K.A.S. Eupen at the Lisp with first place at stake!  Who’s taking first blood in the race to the title between two of the big spenders in the Exqi-League?

In this heavy contested league there were in this round red cards for Dzidic (KVO), Mouissi and Desire (RFCT), De Araujo (RSW), Bétrémieux (OHL) and Delplace (RBDB) and also six spot-kicks were given and scored by Imschoot (FCVDEH), Vanderbiest (KVO), Debroux (OHL), De Munter (KSW), Le Postollec (FCB) and Ven (KVT).

In this heavy contested league there were early goals in Tubize (Da Silva after 10” breaking Fraizer Campbell’s record) and in Tienen (Gkionis for visiting and basement team Royal FC de Liege after 1’20”)!

In this heavy contested league Cavens leads the topscorer ranking with 12 goals made followed by his strikepartner Radzinski (ex- Everton and Fulham) with 11, the same number of goals has French ace from AFC Tubize Jéremy Perbet and that is one more as Bétrémieux (OHL), with nine goals a quartet comprising Cardon (RFC Tournai), Brouwers and Ketting (both KVSK United) and Noyen (KV Turnhout) are doing fine. Royal Antwerp’s best stikers are Oris and Tisza with 5 goals apiece while Kenmogne has 4 goals on his tally.

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.A.S. EUPEN

Saturday 28 November 2009 - 8.00 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Sébastien Delferière - Stijn Hutsebaut - Jean-Marie Dans

"The day I took the Eupen job, I dreamt of staying up", admits Dany Ost. He did rather better than that, finishing in fourteenth spot last term after a mammoth 14 defeats conceding 42 goals in the process amply proved there was a fragility to his KAS Eupen side, particularly at the rearguard of the team who didn’t offer their goalkeeper Wins enough protection. But that was before the winter break, afterwards a rejuvenated side bought together by rich Italian investors proved too strong for relegation rivals R.O.C. de Charleroi M, Royal Excelsior Virton, K.F.C. V.W. Hamme, K.M.S.K. Deinze and whipping boys Union Royale Namur. So, basement club K.A.S. Eupen from 5 points before the January transfer window to 43 points and safety from relegation worries at the end of last years’ Exqi-League campaign. A job well done by Dany Ost who said to his players : "You’ve achieved that, now go a step further".

Our next opponent looked to be establishing themselves as a solid Belgian second division club until Ost rode to the rescue, to offer Eupen fans a fresh start.  Dany bought himself enormous goodwill with his end-of-season heroics and the Italian investors made it clear that thanks to the greater organisation and discipline they should benefit from this Exqi-League season. Preseason preparation and unseen at this level was a three weeks team-bonding sessions and training camp in Italy and all punters agree this is a sign of a professional club and it shows in the ranking were Eupen is the proud leader after fifteen games in the current season.

K.A.S. Eupen are basking in the sun at the Kehrwegstadium, were they didn’t lose since a cold winter evening in January 2009 against Royal FC Tournai. The backline of the team comprises charismatic Czech goalkeeper Petr Radek, the centre-halves pairing of Belgian youth international Kocabas together with Maric from Croatian descent but with also a Swiss passport and Colin, Brazilian Dos Santos, Djuric, Sissoko and Italian Iandoli making up the numbers. In midfield Colinet and Vinamont lead by example and Aguilar from Paraguay, Milicevic from Serbia but also with a Swiss passport and Saglik completes the multi-lingual midfield players Ost can rely on. Further the team from the Eastern part of Belgium possesses a front line second to none in the Exqi-League. Although wanted by clubs in the highest tier of Belgian and European football out-of-favour striker Mombongo forms an impressive frontline together with Serbian starlet Obradovic and the player who’s attracting the most headlines is exciting striker and set-pieces specialist Matthias Lepiller.

A bumper crowd and a big test awaits our new caretaker manager Colin Andrews, can Royal Antwerp surprise a few pundits and bring three valuable points back to the Bosuil?

Founded : 1945
FA number : 4276
Address : Kehrweg 14 – 4700 Eupen
Stadium : Kehrwegstadium (6000)
Ticket Office : 087/74 29 93
Website : www.as-eupen.be
Main Sponsor : Massen, V.O.O. and Grenz-Echo
Kit Colours : white shirt, black short, white socks
Budget : 1 million euro
Chairman : Dieter SteffensGaffer : Dany Ost (° 04/02/1960) – manager career : KFC Rhode Verrewinkel (1998-2000), Olympic Charleroi (2000-2003), KFC Strombeek (2003-2004), Heppegnies Lambusart – Fleurus (2005-2006), Olympic Charleroi (2006-10/2008), K.A.S. Eupen (from 11/2008).

SIX HAVE TO FEAR

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3:Roel van Hemert, Spencer Verbiest.

2:Benjamin Lambot (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Thomas Phibel (26.08.2009 + 29.08.2009), Matthias Trenson (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Ransford Addo (19.09.2009 + 02.10.2009), Bart De Corte (04.09.2009 + 18.10.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009 + 25.10.2009).

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009), Ray Fränkel (21.11.2009).

SUMMARY DAY FIFTEEN

When Ratko Svilar was handed the reins of his beloved Royal Antwerp Football Club, those prepared to give him a chance of making a success of the job despite his poor coaching curriculum vitae thought he might be able to imbue the side with some of his magic from his playing days.  But the genius Ratko Svilar showed as a goalkeeper didn’t guarantee a talent for transmitting his winning ideas to others or forging a succesful team in the manner many of his predecessors did.  On the day that some very important political heavyweights came to watch us and more than 2 000 tickets were distributed to give car manufacturer General Motors employees free entrance we were outclassed and outpowered by KV Ostend who now reach the dizzy heights of third position in the Exqi-League ranking. Royal Antwerp are momentarily occupying spot thirteen. After being hammered 3-0 at home the explanation should be like this : "The technical staff is embarrassed because it was unacceptable and unexpected. The way we defended in key moments wasn’t good enough.  It was a result we don’t want to be associated with. We need to move on quickly and give a reaction in the next games. We are sure that the damage of this big home defeat won’t be carried into the next games." But other than the necessary and obligatory comments for the winning gaffer and ex-Royal Antwerpplayer Thierry Pister our Serbian manager didn’t give.

At the top of the table K. Lierse S.K. need to regroup after another defeat at home(!) against a stubborn AFC Tubize side whose striker Perbet netted a brace and the decisive goal came from Brouckaert after well-travelled Radzinski gave the home side a double lead. K.A.S. Eupen could bring the margin at second placed K. Lierse S.K. to 5 points but they failed, despite Milicevic giving the Pandas the lead with a deflected shot it was surprise package KS Wetteren who held the points at home via strikes from De Langhe and Euvrard.

In the other games the tie of the round was the Walloon derby between RAEC Mons against Royal Boussu Dour Borinage in front of a bumper crowd at the Tondreaustadium, another promoted club took all three points via Delplace and Amghar before Roussel could score a late consolation goal. Local bragging rights are going to RBD Borinage and Rudi Cossey, the manager of ambitious RAEC Mons is just been sacked because of getting nil points out of a possible nine!

The team of gaffer Dirk Geeraerd continued their climb in the table by beating lowly K.V.K. Tienen at the Orphale Cruckestadium. The crowd went bonkers when Romont and Antrope scored in the dying minutes after trailing 0-1 at the break.

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.V. OSTEND

Saturday 21 November 2009 - 8.00 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Christof Virant - Danny Huens - Gregory Crotteux

KV Ostend’s official website pictures 22 players in their first-team squad.  Gaffer and ex- Royal Antwerpplayer Thierry Pister will be balancing the Exqi-League with the demands of 36 league matches, plus domestic cup games. And in the January transfer window he may well lose highly-rated versatile defender/midfielder and skipper Wallaeys and prolific striker Mokulu, Pister admits he would be powerless to stop the move if a Jupiler Pro League team will make a big-money approach. Thierry also points out that last season KV Ostend had a relatively small, close-knit band of brothers in the dressing room and everyone knew what the starting eleven was.  Everyone knew that the others, relied on them week in, week out.  So, squad rotation is not in Pister’s vocabulary but it will be difficult for our next opponent to match, let alone beat, last term’s surprising seventh-place finish.

The Seasiders are currently in fourth position because the defence comprising Vandenberghe (was once a trialist at the Bosuil), Wallaeys, Lahousse and Liard only conceded nine goals thus far.  In midfield Vanderbiest is the lynchpin and Pecqueux together with Sucaet must deliver pinpoint crosses for the strikers Deschacht, Laleman and Mokulu. 

Further important news is that our next opponent budget in their one-hundred-year of existence tumbled down from 1,6 million euro to 1,3 million euro so ambitions are a play-off berth at best, but a place in upper mid-table looks more realistic in a town where basketball is more popular than football!!!

Founded : 1981
Address : Leopold Van Tyghemlaan 62 – 8400 Ostend
Stadium : Albertpark ( 8 000)
Ticket Office : 059/70 36 10
Website : www.kvo.be
Kit Colours : green shirt, red short
Budget : 1,3 million euro
Chairman : Yves Lejaeghere
Gaffer : Thierry Pister (° 02/02/1965) – manager career : RAEC Mons (1999-01/2002), KSK Beveren (02/2002-2002), KSK Ronse (2002-2004), KV Red Star Waasland (2004-2005), AC Alliansi (Finland, 2005-2006), RFC Tournai (2007-2008), RAEC Mons (7/2008-8/2008, assistant), RAEC Mons ( 8/2008-12/2008), KV Ostend (from 03/2009).

SPENCER IS SUSPENDED

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3:Roel van Hemert, Spencer Verbiest (19.09.2009 + 26.09.2009 + 08.11.2009).

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009).

SUMMARY DAY FOURTEEN

Hurrah!  Almost every other result in this round of the Exqi-League campaign went our way so it was no bad thing our game at Royal Boussu Dour Borinage was postponed and gaffer Ratko Svilar has given his squad the weekend off after a run of two successive home victories which has seen us move back to the upper echelon of the Belgian second division.  Although some first-teamers played in the Reserves last Friday it will be from next Saturday onwards that the real action starts!  But everyone connected with RAFC, fans included (the sane ones!) accepts how much of a long haul this season is going to be! We have won nothing yet but our club has been hauled through the clarts for so long; to be where we are today has given us a fantastic platform to mount a promotion bid – be it automatic or via the doomed play-offs. If there’s one thing we cannot be accused of, it’s over-confidence, and taking things for granted, we know what’s in store, and it will be though with games vs KV Ostend, K.A.S. Eupen and KV Red Star Waasland in the forthcoming weeks.

Let’s start with the surprise of the weekend, the first defeat of the season from the Real Madrid of the Exqi-League. Indeed, K.Lierse S.K. lost at minnows KV Turnhout in front off a full-capacity crowd at the Stadsparkstadium.  When a counter landed at the feet of Ngon after only ten minutes it was 1-0 for the home side and it lasted until ten minutes after the break before Egyptian playmaker Wahed fired in the equaliser but it was René Desaeyere whose astute coaching got the three points when ten minutes from time Tamsin scored with a low free-kick towards the near post beating Kujovic!

Because K.A.S. Eupen thrashed KV Red Star Waasland at the Kehrweg in the televised tie at Friday evening means K. Lierse S.K. drop to second in the ranking.  Danny Ost’s boys brushed their opponents aside with goals from Milicevic, Colinet, Obradovic and Lepiller in an enthralling display.

Play-off contenders AFC Tubize and FCV Dender EH drew at the Leburtonstadium and KVSK United is the winner of the weekend thanks to goals from Dufour and Ketting against tough Walloon opposition from RAEC Mons.

Our next opponent KV Ostend celebrated their one-hundred-year of existence but couldn’t seal a win in a heavy contested tie against OH Leuven. Goals from Vanderbiest and for the visitors the inevitable Bétrémieux was once again on the scoresheet.

SUMMARY DAY THIRTEEN

Seeing the fans rise and yell “Goal!” is, Tibor Tisza insists, the most beautiful thing in football. As the new Hungarian recruit netted a brace against AFC Tubize and bringing his total at 5 goals made thus far in our colours, let’s take his word for it. Crucial strikes can come from unlikely sources, but usually a goalscoring midfielder or striker will find the back of the net. So what makes Tibor Tisza stand out? Well, he’s a goalscorer who can read the game, can effectively fast forward the action in his head so that, when the moment comes, he’s perfectly placed to take that opportune shot. Although talking with our former legend Laszlo Fazekas certainly helps it is Tibor Tisza’s quality, quantity and timing of the movement off the ball, especially in the last third, that is crucial. Knowing when to dart into a gap or peel off a defender’s shoulder can create goals as in Sundays clash against highflying AFC Tubize, a side that didn’t concede more than one goal in an Exqi-League encounter this season. Thanks to Laszlo and Tibor we’re now occupying position eight in the ranking.

In the other games there were surprise wins on the road for KV Turnhout at Walloon play-off contender RAEC Mons and even K.S.K. Ronse secured a second win on the trot at team-in-form OH Leuven.  Noyen (KVT) and De Broyer (KSK) both scoring twice in their respective game and this means that Royal FC de Liège and K.S.K. Beveren are the losers in the relegation dogfight because they held each other to a dour stalemate at Le Payray.  Both teams only have a two-points advantage at rock bottom but in-form K.S.K. Ronse.

Our next opponent, Royal Boussu Dour Borinage won the battle of the promoted newcomers at KS Wetteren via a late goal from Robail, while play-down contenders as Royal FC Tournai and K.V.K. Tienen made it an enjoyable match to watch at Le Varenne with the home side beating the Sugarboys 4-2.

At the top of the table in the televised tie of the weekend KV Red Star Waasland and KV Ostend drew at Puyenbeke because the visitors couldn’t convert a spot-kick and K.A.S. Eupen  closed the gap at leaders K. Lierse S.K. to a meagre point with a win at play-off contender FCV Dender EH, Obradovic scoring the decisive goal.

PROFILE OPPONENT * AFC TUBIZE

Sunday 8 November 2009 - 3.00 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Danny Makkelie - Frank Jansen - Peter Janson

Sunday 1st June 2008, our next opponent did manage to stun a full capacity Bosuil crowd via a Stuckens goal in the first half and our promotion dream was over.  It was AFC Tubize finest hour. Benjamin Lambot (19) (now Royal Antwerp) and his Sang et Or colleagues were having a party together with their meagre 300 travelling fans.  Although no one gave AFC Tubize a prayer when they were promoted to the Jupiler Pro League it was gaffer Cartier who has inspired his troops to a remarkable season. 

Wonders do happen sometimes but AFC Tubize were relegated last term, they were sunk under the weight of off-the-field chaos, schockingly bad buys (Quinton Fortune anyone?) and the sense that however bad things got, they were about to get worse. In the latter stages of the season Cartier lost his managerial vim and political heavyweight and chairman Langendries made it clear that this Exqi-League season there would be a new man on the helm. That man is their former assistant manager Felice Mazzu who appears to be safe for the moment but that does not mean he will allow his players to ease up. 

Although Dufer, Sorokin, Pinelli and Lambot have chosen other horizons Tubize drafted in Steens, Gillis, goalkeeper Govoni and last but not least giant striker Njock returned to the club so you could say they bought cannily.  Even Jérémy Perbet stayed at the Leburtonstadium and this strikers’ partnership does mean business. The most important part of the team is the rearguard with butcher Neels playing a major role in Tubize only conceding 7 goals in the current campaign.  So, Mazzu has built a side based less on talent and more on hard graft and self-sacrifice and it will be certain that Sundays clash won’t be a classic!

Founded : 1953
FA number : 5632
Address : Allée des Sports 7 – 1480 Tubize
Stadium : Leburton (8 000)
Ticket Office : 02/355 55 04
Website : www.afctubize.be
Kit Colours : yellow-red shirt, red short, yellow socks
Main Sponsor : Duferco Clabecq
Budget : 1,8 million euro
Chairman : Raymond Langendries
Gaffer : Felice Mazzu (° 12/03/1966) – manager career : Nijvel (1992-1996, youth), Marchienne (1996-1998, assistant), Marchienne (1998-2000, headcoach), CS Brainois (2000-2006), Leopold Uccle (2006-2007), AFC Tubize (2007-2009, assistant), AFC Tubize (from 07/2009, headcoach)
Honours : Winner play-offs Second Division 2007/2008 with 18 points.

SEVEN HAVE TO FEAR

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3:Roel van Hemert.

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009).

SUMMARY DAY TWELVE

Our Serbian gaffer has a gun to his head, but one cannot help but feel that the Royal Antwerp manager doesn’t deserve it. Despite the fact that his side are now in mid-table obscurity, thanks to the Cofidis Cup defeat against FCV Dender EH, judging by the jeers, pressure is mounting inexorably.  If only Royal Antwerp Football Club had taken just two of their myriad chances, their plight might not seem so bleak.  But we didn’t and Ngolok scoring a lucky winner and bleak it remains. Ratko is under no illusions as to his predicament. His insistence that “I wholeheartedly believe in my methods… and I believe I can make it right”, in his after-match commentary was painful to hear and does nothing to dispel the sense that this incarnation of his managerial existence could be fast approaching its demise. So, doom and gloom in the Cup and due to a ‘bye’ we have been leapfrogged by KS Wetteren and OH Leuven who both won away fixtures. We’re now occupying position twelve in the Exqi-League and our star forward Kevin Oris and utility player Bas Vervaeke were pleading for some team-bonding sessions on www.rafc.tv!

Our bogey team, K.S.K. Ronse started the season with Bart Van Renterghem as manager who had presided over 9 winless Exqi-League fixtures, was replaced by experienced gaffer Dirk Geeraerd and the new motivator broke Ronse’s duck at his third and the team’s 12th time of asking against local rivals Royal F.C. Tournai with finally De Broyer and Brienne on the scoresheet.  Where Van Renterghem left the field (exception at Bosuilstadium) to the familiar sound of boos that had characterised the latter part of his tenure now the Orphale Cruckestadium erupted at the first win of the season under guidance of new gaffer Geeraerd.

At the top of the table K. Lierse S.K. and the immediate challengers all drew their respective game so K. Lierse S.K. go into their ‘bye’ weekend with a four-point lead at the top of the table.  In what had been predicted beforehand to be a difficult away game became easier when Royal Antwerp old boy Pinxten misjudged a through ball from Wahed and a seventh competition goal of Radzinski was a fact.  In the second half a cross from Chergui found star striker Ketting and home team KVSK United were back on level terms.

Another fact from this week was the degradation of 3 referees who used to whistle in the Jupiler Pro League and yes, they made a mess of it. Twenty yellow cards and one sending-off was surely value for money from this top flight refs!

SEVEN HAVE TO FEAR, TIBOR TISZA, TOO

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3:Roel van Hemert.

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009).

1:Kevin Baert (23.08.2009).

name in bold = misses next game

GEOFFRY HAIREMANS GOES M.U.

Eighteen year old starlet Geoffry Hairemans has deserved himself a trip to England.  He departs on Thursday October 29 for a one-week training session at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground under guidance from our former gaffer Warren Joyce.  Talking about Warren, we can announce that our former manager will attend the FCV Dender EH Cofidis Cup tie at the Bosuilstadium this Wednesday.

SUMMARY DAY ELEVEN

Pushing for play-offs or looking at the Third Division?  Find all the news and profiles on our website.  Every club, every goal, every dodgy tackle. From Royal Antwerp Football Club to K.S.K. Ronse all your club’s news is in one place.

Here this week for instance we did entertain newcomers KV Turnhout, won by two converted spotkicks and our Serbian gaffer stated: “Three points in the bag is very important for the confidence in the forthcoming weeks. It was a long time ago (Aug 19 to be precise) that we won a home Exqi-League fixture and some players were carrying heavy legs, there wasn’t enough movement from our lads and I can’t be satisfied with the overall play but we take it from here and Wednesday we play FCV Dender EH for the Cofidis Cup and I’ll hope to see some progress on the pitch because actions speaks louder than experts’ words.”  So, two-nil for the Reds but still only in tenth position we must climb another six places to achieve our main target for the season and that’s another play-offs participation come May. Read our match report.

In the space of 90 manic minutes, the Exqi-League last 16-games unbeaten run was ended (since March 2009) and a chink in the K.A.S. Eupen armour was exposed by OH Leuven thanks to a brace of French striker Betrémieux.  At the same Friday evening a Tomasz Radzinski hat-trick squeezes new frontrunners K. Lierse S.K. past K.V.K. Tienen.

Due to the 5th loss and Royal FC Liège winning away at the Luc Varennestadium at Walloon neighbours Royal FC Tournai K.S.K. Beveren drops another place in the ranking and are momentarily relegation fodder when Van Imschoot could shoot unopposed just in front of the sixteen giving another Walloon team, RAEC Mons their highest ranking thus far (third)!

A special mention for KS Wetteren whose home win against highflying KVSK United OL went almost unnoticed but the Exqi-League new boys inaugurated their floodlights in the only manner possible, Claessens broke the deadlock in the 78’ to give the last term promoted team a place in mid-table just behind Royal Antwerp FC.

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.V. TURNHOUT

Sunday 25 October 2009 - 3.00 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Yves Muyle - Stijn Eben - Toon Bieseman

With small crowds and cramped surrounds at Stadsparkstadium, KV Turnhout will have to punch above their weight.  Some current players have already been squabbling over the terms of the new deals on offer and financial constraints have kept transfer activity to a minimum.  Turnhout fans, give thanks for René Desaeyere.  The manager offers a glimmer of hope amid the doom and gloom that surrounds the Blue and White.  From his arrival in September 2006 our next opponent did manage a promotion campaign last term in the Belgian third division and are now occupying thirteenth place in the Exqi-League ranking.  Last week they secured a win against highflying KV Red Star Waasland despite the fact that referees’ decisions went against them (two spot-kicks for the Waaslanders, one saved).  Our former gaffer Desaeyere won’t repeat that promotion party this season, but he should stabilise the club and avoid relegation.

“KV Turnhout chase Pele,” could be the headline in a newspaper this summer.  Some say that our next opponent might need the real Brazilian legend, not to mention Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff to stay up but most pundits think that experienced goalkeeper Horsten, defenders Boeckx, Loyens, Vandenbergh and De Schutter should get enough clean sheets and a midfield containing Van Lieshout, Noyen and Da Silva must give strikers Ngon and Ven enough opportunities to score and in doing so forget relegation worries.

Founded : 1912
Address : Parklaan 50 – 2300 Turnhout
Stadium : Stadspark (3000)
Ticket Office : 014/41 25 84
Website : www.kvturnhout.be
Kit Colours : blue shirt and white short
Budget : 1,2 million euro
Gaffer : René Desaeyere (° 14/09/1947) – manager career : KV Kortrijk (1990-1991), Beerschot VAV (1992-1995), KSK Beveren (1995-1996), Iihwa Chunma (Korea, 1996-1998), Cerezo Osaka (Japan,1998-1999), FC Denderleeuw (2002), R Antwerp FC (07/2003-10/2003), FC Denderleeuw (10/2003-2004), KV Turnhout (from 09/2006-?)
Honours : Champions in Third Division B (2009)

BART DC HAS TO FEAR

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3:Roel van Hemert.

2:Benjamin Lambot (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Thomas Phibel (26.08.2009 + 29.08.2009), Matthias Trenson (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Spencer Verbiest (19.09.2009 + 26.09.2009), Ransford Addo (19.09.2009 + 02.10.2009), Bart De Corte (04.09.2009 + 18.10.2009).

1:Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009).

1:Kevin Baert (23.08.2009).

name in bold = misses next game

FILIP IN PHILADELPHIA

Not only at matchdays in the weekend Filip Hermans is showing off his beloved colours, also in the United States he is extremely proud to show his scarf between New York City (picture above) and at the Rocky Steps in Philadelphia (picture below).  Even in the States Filip is Royal Antwerp through and through and our red-white colours are his favourite company and not even for one second out of his thoughts.

SUMMARY DAY TEN

Emmerik De Vriese (22) celebrates Kevin Oris' equalizer in the home tie against KVSK United OL

The last two times Emmerik De Vriese was seen in a Royal Antwerp Football Club shirt were 2 minutes of playing time against K.S.K. Ronse and in another home tie against KVSK United OL he managed to get 45 minutes under his belt.  In both fixtures our beloved colours have failed to record a win.  Third time lucky with a sub appearance after 70’ at the Bergéstadium against minnows K.V.K. Tienen.  With two goals that upended the visitors’ side were in danger of meekly surrendering, the winger’s reappearance was as redemptive as his exit in the Summer was ignominious.  Manager Ratko Svilar was keeping his cool and stated that Emmerik looked very sharp in training and was a constant threat during his 24 minutes of action.  But Ratko also said that like we’ve done in a lot of games this season, we gave K.V.K. Tienen encouragement through mistakes and bad play.  Indeed Royal Antwerp trailed 2-0, then a crazy 5’ made it 2-3 before injury-time goals from Peeters and Degeling made it 4-3 for the Sugarboys.  It’s now 4 Exqi-League games without a win and the high expectations are hampered with only 3 points out of a possible 12 leaving us in a mid-table position (10th place)and as winter flexes its icy fingers, it could be a bleak few months at the Bosuilstadium…

K. Lierse S.K. romp to top of the table as an eleventh goal of the season of much travelled Jurgen Cavens and ex-Fulham and Everton Canadian striker Radzinski continues to shine and secured the win in the latter stages at the Orphale Cruckestadium.  K.A.S. Eupen drew with a well-organised and occasionally dangerous RBD Borinage side, the Pandas slipped off the top of  the Exqi-League ranking as Royal Boussu Dour held Danny Ost’s team to a dour stalemate.  K.S.K. Ronse, lacking guile, remain bottom of the Belgian Second Division and trail second-bottom RFC Liège who lost at ‘home’ the Walloon derby against play-off contenders RAEC Mons on Friday with already a margin of 4 points.

Royal Antwerp fans hope to see this Manu Kenmogne score again next Sunday, as he did a few weeks ago during the first Cup tie of the season against KV Turnhout

Our next opponent KV Turnhout needed no help from the referee to outsmart a lacklustre KV  Red Star Waasland, the home side broke the deadlock after one minute of play and despite two spot-kicks awarded to the Waaslanders (one saved by goalkeeper Horsten) they took all 3 points thanks to a second goal of Noyen.

OH Leuven are fast becoming the side to avoid as Jean-Pierre Vande Velde’s men stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a hard-fought draw at AFC Tubize. Two years ago this was one of the fixtures in the play-offs to decide which team was going up, remember!

While KVSK United OL won their home fixture against highflying FCV Dender EH thanks to another superb strike of Ketting and the spot-kick save of goalkeeper Sengier, K.S.K. Beveren didn’t succeed to win in a poor game against new boys KS Wetteren, experienced goalkeeper Lemmens and defender Collen played comedy capers and Desmet could tap in easily into an empty net. Ghanaian winger Asante could still equalise but the Waaslanders are certainly the pick for disappointment of the season thus far!

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.V.K. TIENEN

Daniel Nassen tries to explain his team's defeat at Royal Antwerp last season

Daniel Nassen has assembled a very competitive outfit, good enough to finish within one point of the play-offs last season.  The strenght of his side lies primarily in its offensive qualities – only the top two have made more goals last season – and the likes of Sébastien Dufoor, Admir Haznadar and Penga Ilenga deserve praise, not to mention attacking midfielder Mathieu Belme.  But the defense leaked 49 goals last season, the acquisition of Karel De Smet should resolve this problem and in midfield Siegerd Degeling replaced outgoing transfers such as Vandecauter, Thijs and Vanarwegen.

So, the Sugarboys will be playing on Sunday without Köse, Neven, Penga and Dufoor isn’t matchfit either meaning gaffer Nassen is short in numbers and has to improvise certainly concerning his attacking options.  In the rearguard of the team goalkeeper Van Impe and defenders Vanhees, Vandeput and Triantafillides are the first names on the teamsheet and in midfield Bogaerts will partner De Silva and Belme.  Last week win at Wetteren was a boost for team morale and at Sundays clash every home supporter will be welcomed with a free Maes Pils drink.  Here’s to you!

Founded : 1981
Address : Bergévest 12 – 3300 Tienen
Stadium : Julien Bergé ( 7 100)
Ticket Office : 016/81 32 24
Website : www.kvktienen.be
Kit Colours : blue shirt, green-white short
Chairman : Willy Schepers
Gaffer : Daniel Nassen (° 24/11/1966) – manager career : VW Oorbeek (2004-01/2005), K.V.K. Tienen (from 07/2005-?)

FIVE HAVE TO FEAR

l e a g u e   y e l l o w

3:Roel van Hemert.

2:Benjamin Lambot (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Thomas Phibel (26.08.2009 + 29.08.2009), Matthias Trenson (26.08.2009 + 04.09.2009), Spencer Verbiest (19.09.2009 + 26.09.2009), Ransford Addo (19.09.2009 + 02.10.2009).

1:Bart De Corte (04.09.2009), Geoffry Hairemans (19.08.2009), Tibor Tisza (04.09.2009), Bas Vervaeke (26.08.2009), Manu Kenmogne (11.10.2009), Zarko Jelicic (11.10.2009).

1:Kevin Baert (23.08.2009).

name in bold = misses next game

SUMMARY DAY NINE

On Friday evening K. Lierse S.K. destroyed K.S.K. Beveren with the biggest margin in the Exqi-League this season.  Ex- Everton and Fulhamplayer Radzinski opened the scoring and then a burst of three goals in seven minutes and a sending-off for the visitors made it 4-0 at halftime.  Second half sub Gunther Thiebaut headed in the fifth home goal and goalkeeper Kujovic slotted home a second penalty kick of the evening against his opposite number to make it 6-0 much to the delight of the 8 500+ crowd.  So, K. Lierse S.K. took the leaders spot with Cavens already with 10 goals on his tally and with three wins in a row and four consecutive clean sheets the ‘Pallieters’ were doing justice to their slogan ‘together Champions’.  At least until Sunday…

On Sunday goalkeeper Govoni from AFC Tubize denied K.A.S. Eupen with a series of superb saves an early lead but the belter of Leppiler in the 66th minute give the boys from Danny Ost a one-point-lead at the top of the table.  It’s looking good in the Eastern German speaking part of Belgium, they have a game in hand on their closest rivals.

Behind the two title candidates the chasing pack are KV Ostend with 19 points (9 games), KV Red Star Waasland (bye this week) have 18 points out of 8 games and FCV Dender EH missed the chance to join the frontrunners in the Exqi-League by drawing at home against lowly KV Turnhout and totalise 16 points.

After this five teams there’s a little gap with the mid-table sides on 12 or 13 points. Two of them, Royal Antwerp Football Club and KVSK United OL drew at the Bosuil in front of 5 500 spectators, star striker Ketting giving the visitors the lead and the already very popular Kevin Oris netting against his former team, resulting in a sixth draw out of nine outings with a ninth place in the ranking for our beloved colours.

Our next opponent K.V.K. Tienen won away to KS Wetteren, a brace from G. Legros gave RFC de Liège all points in the capital so bottom team K.S.K. Ronse already face a four-point gap to their closest rival.  And what did they do?  They replaced their young gaffer Van Renterghem for Jupiler Pro League experienced Dirk Geeraerd and still lost at the Charles Tondreau Stadium, because that’s no happy hounting ground (as ‘De Bosuil’ was and is) for the team from the Flemish Ardennes!

PROFILE OPPONENT * KVSK UNITED OVERPELT LOMMEL

Sunday 11 October 2009 - 3.00 PM (c.e.t.)

Franky Van Der Elst did join a long queue of Exqi-League coaches looking for a prolific striker this summer, although his need was the greatest of all. Having lost Van de Weyer there was a significant gap to fill in attack alongside star striker Ketting. The problem for KVSK United was that they are far from alone in seeking reinforcements up front and finding value for money has not proved straightforward. It was gaffer Van Der Elst’s famed eye for a bargain that did the trick once again. Situated in the neighbourhood of the Dutch border, our next opponent are always looking for acquisitions in the Dutch Eredivisie or Jupiler League. Last season United scored just 48 goals, almost the lowest in the Exqi-League and only a few goals ahead than the teams who fell through the relegation trapdoor.

This season a lot is expected from new recruit Jason Oost, a striker with experience at the highest level in the Netherlands. So, Van Der Elst canny forays into the transfer market continue to serve KVSK United well. He can now pick from a full-strenght team and hopes that the aforementioned strikers will be lucky to break double figures this season and in midfield our next opponent have free-kick specialist Davy Brouwers and at the back former Royal Antwerp favourite Pinxten to add more firepower to the attack. Stronghold of the team is still reliable goalkeeper Sengier and in the rearguard of the team Chergui replaced Eberle, in midfield there is an important holding role for Cameroon player Noukeu. A decent crowd on Sunday(!) is expected against this play-off rival and let’s hope that Kevin Oris can score against his former teammates, so we can climb in the Exqi-League table.

Founded : 2003
Address : Speelpleinstraat 20 – 3920 Lommel
Stadium : Municipal Stadium Gestelsedijk (12 500)
Ticket Office : 011 816 460
Website : www.kvsk.be
Kit Colours (home): green/white shirt, green short
Budget : 1,4 million euro
Chairman : Frans Luyckx
Gaffer : Franky Van Der Elst (° 30/04/1961) – manager career : Germinal Beerschot (1999-2003), Lokeren (2004), Club Brugge (2005-01/2007, assistant), FC M Brussels S (01/2008-06/2008), KVSK United OL (from 01/2009-?)

ROEL IS BACK

SUMMARY DAY EIGHT

Many teams use a single striker, with midfield encouraged to join the attack.  But the centre-forward is still expected to run, chase, hold the ball up and - obviously - score.  Royal Antwerp giant striker Kevin Oris is a prime example of the modern-day forward. Kevin is powerful, explosive, hungry and hardworking, he scores just after the break with venom from distance, can sprint on to a through ball, is cool in front of goal, unbeatable in the air and takes a mean free-kick. He drifts out wide to lose a marker or pressure full-backs and links well with his strikepartners Pivaljevic and Tisza (our Hungarian recruit netted the second goal) giving us a point that we didn’t deserve at the Freethiel on Friday evening. With two wins, one loss and five(!) draws we’re still occupying ninth position in the Exqi-League ranking.

At the top of the table KV Red Star Waasland secured all three points at Gestelsedijk at KVSK United playing without star striker Ketting and thus lacking a cutting edge, the goal came via Sampil in injury time of the first half.  Thanks to a bye of opponent K.A.S . Eupen the Waasland boys are taking top spot in the Exqi-League.

The fairy-tale of Royal Boussu Dour Borinage with an unbeaten home run of 18 months ended  against highflying AFC Tubize.  An own-goal of Kaminiaris and the inevitable Jérémy Perbet sealing all three points for gaffer Felice Mazzu’s team.

In the Walloon derby between Royal F.C. Tournai and RAEC Mons an injury plagued home team took all three points with goals from Mouissi and Motte clinched the win in the dying minutes after Diane netted an equalizer for the Dragons.

In the other ties another home defeat for Desaeyere’s outfit KV Turnhout against KV Ostend with a brace from Liard and RFC de Liège and K.S.K. Ronse are staying rock bottom, both teams lost at home against good opposition as K. Lierse S.K. and Exqi-League new boys KS Wetteren.

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.S.K. BEVEREN

Frirday 2 October 2009 - 8.30 PM (c.e.t.)

Our next opponent hope to move within two points of the Great Old in this regional derby fixture, they are currently in thirteenth position five points behind us with one game in hand.  K.S.K. Beveren has had a decidedly low key summer because new manager Boskamp’s aim was to keep hold of his squad rather than spend money. So, they ended last season in thirteenth position and being in the same position at this moment in time, you could argue there’s no improvement made. But KSK Beveren has to show commitment and consistency and a bit more craft would not go amiss either. But then Boskamp has built a side based less on hard graft and self-sacrifice and more on talent and technical skills.  He sprinkled a solid foundation with goalkeeper Lemmens (out for 6 weeks), defenders Collen and Lardenoit, midfielder Baghdad in the holding role and up front a lot is expected from Kristof Snelders.

Together with the young guns they must allow Beveren to get to the comfort zone. Now that former Royal Antwerp cult hero Luciano Olguin has left the club for Greek second division side Pierikos the former Stoke City manager opted to abandon the route one stuff directed to the Argentinian targetman and use more the combination football with Cousin and Lacroix on the flanks. Although home advantage could be vital in this tie played on Friday evening we hope that our travelling contingent of fans will have something to cheer about at the Freethiel on 10.15 p.m.

Founded : 1935
FA number : 2300
Address : Klapperstraat 151 bis – 9120 Beveren
Stadium : Freethiel (13 290)
Ticket Office : 03/750 25 01
Website : www.kskbeveren.be
Main Sponsor : Van Moer Group
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, blue short, yellow socks
Budget : 1,2 million euro
Chairman : Dirk Verelst
Gaffer : Jan Boskamp (° 21/10/1948) – manager career : …RC Genk (2000), Al Ahli (2001), Al Wasl (2002-2003), Kazma (2004-2005), Stoke City (2005-2006), Standard (2006), FCV Dender EH (2007-05/2009), K.S.K. Beveren (07/2009-?)
Honours : Belgian Champions 1979 and 1984 Belgian Cup 1978 and 1983 Belgian Supercup 1984 Semi-final European Cup Winners Cup 1979.

ROEL VAN HEMERT MISSES GAME IN BEVEREN

SUMMARY DAY SEVEN

As the first 15 minutes evolved, K.S.K. Ronse’s danger gradually increased and the Royal Antwerp defending was feeble when Romont did break forward from midfield and guided  the ball beyond Wauthy in two times.  To their credit, there was a stirring second-half response with Oris on the pitch and a Tisza free-kick brought a deserved equalizer via Phibel.  Although still at an early stage of the Exqi-League season it has to be said that we need to pull together and apply the necessary effort so team performances will improve and we move up the table because a home draw against relegation fodder as Ronse just isn’t good enough. No sign of a rumoured protest yet, but gaffer Ratko Svilar and the players do need to put their act together as soon as possible because 10 points out of 7 games whereby 4 home ties isn’t enough value for money with the young vibrant squad the Serbian manager can pick from.

The Friday evening game (always transmitted through Exqi Sport) saw a strong K.S.K. Beveren insufficiently rewarded at FCV Dender EH, in the Florent Beeckmanstadium the home team took the lead via another Imschoot goal but had then to crawl back barely surviving.  Our next opponent was in cruise control after the break but goalkeeper Mollez kept the Waasland boys at bay.  You can say family Asselman vs Johan Boskamp one-nil for the FCV Dender boys.

In the other games K.A.S. Eupen made no mistake against visitors KV Turnhout while coastal team KV Ostend and KVSK United shared the points in a dour stalemate.  Because of the draw of KV Red Star Waasland against lowly K.V.K. Tienen the habitants of the Kehrwegstadium have a two-point lead at the top of the table.   K. Lierse S.K., Wetteren and OH Leuven and RAEC Mons sealed home wins and are hovering up the table.

Former Milwall star Kinet did wait seven games for his first sending off, but now he did even touch the referee and his team-mate Dibi followed 20’ later to leave Royal FC de Liège playing with nine men for the last quarter of the game at new boys KS Wetteren. ‘Mad Dog Raffa’ standing one point and one place above our bogey team, K.S.K. Ronse!

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.S.K. RONSE

Saturday 26 September 2009 - 8 P.M. (c.e.t.)

K.S.K. Ronse is still stung by the positive crticism they received during last season and manager Van Renterghem possesses a young vibrant squad and this all on a shoestring budget of  650 000 euro. Although the gaffer said he doesn’t like the word ‘entertainment’ associated with football the KSK Ronse fans were more than entertained last season, witnessing their team end up eight in the ranking, their highest ever position in the Exqi-League. With 54 goals made and 52 conceded they were a spectacular side to watch.  But all has changed now with the departure of leaders Lino and De Brul, our next opponent started the season with 6 straight defeats because they didn’t take the initiative in games, started too slowly and allowed the opposition to impose themselves.  The squad lacks leadership and depth in numbers and although being our bogey team it will be a long draining season to stay up.

Jan. 2009 - Royal Antwerp celebrate first home victory over KSK Ronse

So, Ronse is in no position where they can keep re-writing the history books and located in the Flemish Ardennes close to the French border they have nine Frenchmen in their ranks. One of them is Amick Ciani, a player who had a past as a Royal Antwerp trialist but was rejected after poor performances in friendlies, he now forms with De Broyer the strikers’ partnership of our next opponent. Further to mention is the arrival of Vandendriessche and Martens in midfield can be vital in the survival dogfight but with -11 the goal average of KSK Ronse is already the worst of the Exqi-League.

Founded : 1987
Address : Leuzesteenweg 183A – 9600 Ronse
Stadium : Orphale Crucke (5200)
Ticket Office : 055/21 14 12
Website : www.ksk-ronse.be
Kit Colours : blue-red-white shirt, blue-white short
Budget : 650 000 euro
Chairman : Jean-Marie Vandendriessche
Gaffer : Bart Van Renterghem (° 11/08/1972) – manager career : KMSK Deinze (2005-2007, assistant-coach), K.S.K. Ronse (from 2007- ?).

SUMMARY DAY SIX

The Royal Antwerp manager Svilar sent his team out to play an expansive game without fear or inhibition and insists that will be the way forward for the whole season – whatever challenges are thrown their way. Royal Antwerp displayed last Saturday an appetite for attacking football which brought them a load of chances and admiration from both sets of supporters. 'King Darko' (Pivaljevic) should have helped himself to a first-half hattrick but it would be harsh to criticise a striker who scored such a stunning opening goal. RFC de Liège were baffled by the speed and invention of these attacks, Lambot and Kenmogne adding a goal each in a superb second half against a team which ran out of ideas and stamina. With this victory the Great Old are now occupying ninth place in the ranking but also closing the gap to the frontrunners of the Exqi-League to five points.

At the top of the table all  teams with ambitions had to settle with one point, KVSK United drew K.A.S. Eupen and FC M Brussels S. did the same with title favourites K. Lierse S.K. while KV Ostend booked a scoring draw at lowly K.V.K. Tienen, the Seasiders gave a spirited comeback after they had to play with nine men after the exclusion of Pecqueux and rising star Mokulu.

Another two stalemates at Walloon based clubs RAEC Mons and R.F.C. Tournai against two stubborn opponents in OH Leuven and newcomers KS Wetteren, the latter were winning 1-3 but couldn’t sustain the pressure and a late own-goal spoiled the party for the visitors.

A special mention for Red Star Waasland whose win at  neighbours of K.S.K. Beveren giving them an unexpected second place in the table, Kielo-Lezi and Sampil are worthy successors of Hervé Onana with six and three goals on their tally which make them the best scoring team in the Exqi-League with already 14 goals made.

The away wins for FCV Dender EH and AFC Tubize (a brace from Perbet) mean they are climbing the league ranking occupying sixth and seventh place in the Belgian second division and are expected to target a play-off ticket come May.

RFC DE LIÉGE - ROYAL ANTWERP

Royal Antwerp play the 6th game of the season at Seraing where Club Luik now play their home matches. The visitors need a result after a disappointing few weeks when too many points have been lost. For Luik, Raphael Quaranta (ex Royal Antwerp) has to miss a number of key players due to injury, so no Gomez nor either of the Legros brothers. Its therefore no surprise that the side have had such a bad start to the season picking up only 2 points. Also having to play in a stadium which is not theirs does not appeal to their fans. Read our match report and watch footage at RAFC.TV.

PROFILE OPPONENT * ROYAL FC DE LIEGE

Saturday 19 September 2009 - 8.00 PM (c.e.t.)

The long battle for a new stadium at Liège continues to sap both the finances and emotions.  Having no stadium of their own RFC de Liège did play at Ans, Verviers, Tilleur and from the middle of the last Exqi-League campaign they found a home at Le Payray in Seraing.  This mean that the battle isn’t always held on the pitch but also in political and business surroundings to give our next opponent a new home.

‘Mad dog’ Raphaël Quaranta: four words that epitomise loyalty, commitment, determination and sheer hard work. The former Royal Antwerp favourite (Vitosha Sofia anyone?) is the main reason the Walloon based club went from relegation fodder to mid-table obscurity in a single season and it’s little wonder his name is linked with many posts outside the top flight. With a shoestring budget of 800 000 euro it will be interesting to see whether Raffa can weave his magic again and take his club to the next level.

Royal FC de Liège have completed some decent business – in and out – but the signings of De Pauw and Grandisson are shrewd but unspectacular and the “statement” signing everybody was waiting for in the close season didn’t materialise resulting in no wins from their first five League games will leave them playing catch-up again. Good news is the contract extension of ex-Milwall star Kinet, the left-midfield player and hardman with the worst disciplinary record in the Exqi-League last season and a player who has been well-acquainted with that long walk to the tunnel – not to mention opponents’ body parts. Gomez (injury) and G. Legros (suspended) are missing for Saturday’s evening clash between two tradition-laden clubs and a decent crowd (one of them will certainly be  the ex- gaffer from the Belgium national team Robert Waseige) is expected.

Founded : 1892
FA number : 4
Address : Rue Edouard Colson – 4431 Loncin
Stadium : Rue de la Boverie 255 – 4100 Seraing – Le Payray (7000)
Ticket Office : 04/278 43 24
Website : www.rfcl.be
Main Sponsor : V.O.O.
Kit Colours : red and blue shirt, blue and red short
Budget : 800 000 euro
Chairman : Francy Dupont
Gaffer : Raphaël Quaranta (° 29/12/1957) – manager career : Club Luik (1994-1995), Tilleur (1997-1999), Wezet (1999-2000), K.A.S. Eupen (2000), Sprimont (2001), FC Wiltz (Lux, 2003-2004), Royal FC de Liège (from 2005)
Honours : Belgian Champions in 1896, 1898, 1899, 1952 and 1953 Belgian Cup in 1990, runner-up in 1987

KING DARKO IS BACK

SUMMARY DAY FIVE

There’s no reason for anyone to condemn what Royal Antwerp are doing now.  We’re a club in a hurry but all Ratko Svilar and the chairman are trying to do is rebuild an organisation that had fallen on hard times and became a laughing stock under Dimitri Davidovic.  Royal Antwerp Football Club had become synonymous with football misfortune.  Only for the fans who had won the sympathy of the rest of the leagues for their long-suffering devotion to a lost cause.  It is too early to say whether our beloved colours will be able to challenge for the play-offs, let alone the Exqi-League title this season.  There is more quality in the team than last term, as you might expect after a wad of cash has been spent on transfer fees, wages, etc… in the close season.  But it’s not too early to say that the signings of Phibel, Lambot, Tisza and Oris have already made a massive difference to the club.  For instance the way we fought on Saturday trailing 1-3 on home soil vs RFC Tournai proved Royal Antwerp already have a great deal more resilience and team spirit than we did have last term and when targetman Oris scored in injury time it was a well deserved point, a reward for our show of character. An enthralling finish of the game gives us tenth position in the Exqi-League but two of the more difficult away fixtures at title candidates K. Lierse S.K. and RAEC Mons are behind us. More good news is that goalkeeper Wauthy did extend his contract with the club until the 2011-2012 season meaning a massive leap forward in the rearguard of the team.

In the other games K.S.K. Beveren drew 1-1 at K.V. Ostend whose hopes to going top of the league in their one thousand official game went begging when Lardenoit showed up at the far post to convert a Cousin free-kick with a header.  Helped with a strong wind backing the coastal team in the second half it was winger Helegbe who scored at the far post for the Seasiders.

Another important game at the Lisp where the home team couldn’t sustain the pressure of RAEC Mons, game of two halves, De Witte giving K.Lierse S.K. the lead but Matumona got too much time and space afforded to shoot and the two outspoken title candidates had to be content with a stalemate.

Next week KVSK United entertain leaders K.A.S. Eupen, the former winning with the smallest margin at AFC Tubize and the latter won through strikes of Mombongo and Maric against lowly K.V.K. Tienen. So, a mouthwatering at the Gestelsedijk to come but may we have your special attention for FA numbers 4 (Royal FC de Liège) and the Great Old at Le Pairay next Saturday with two of the fiercest supporters groups in the country!

PROFILE OPPONENT * RFC DOORNIK/TOURNAI

Saturday 12 September 2009 - 8.00 PM (c.e.t.)

Good organisation from the staff, preparation, a fantastic work ethic, real hunger and a no-fear attitude were last term the strenghts of our next opponent at the Bosuilstadium. This year everything is different. With a shoestring budget of only 500 000 euro “Les Sang et Or” needed to offload some of their best stalwarts as Annijs, Di Tullio, Zebre and Scarpino. Also there was constant speculation about the future of the most important players Dorizon and Mouissi, they stayed at the Luc Varennestadium but are out for Saturday’s clash, due to injuries. Recruiting as always in the lower divisions in Belgium and France a repeat of last season’s  fifth place will be some achievement. The successor of Gerrit Laverge, manager Christophe Denie has the major task to lead RFC Tournai to safer heights than the seventeenth place they are occupying now in the Exqi-League.  The spine of the team exists out of goalkeeper Martin, defender Duquesnoy, midfielder and set-pieces specialist Frutos and in attack there is an important role for 21-year old striker David Cardon.  His strikepartner is Frenchman Sylvio Breleur who has proven himself for several years in this division.

Ratko Svilar & Gerrit Laverge at Bosuilstadium (Deurne-Noord, April 18th 2009)

Last year we played RFC Tournai four times, resulting in one defeat, one draw and two wins with one of those wins we did qualify for the play-offs in front of a 10 000+ crowd.  Less spectators are expected this time around but this is for Royal Antwerp a must win game to climb in the ranking, for the visitors it could be a vital turning point of the season.

Founded : 2002
FA number : 26
Address : Rue du Follet 327 – 7540 Kain
Stadium : Luc Varenne (7552)
Ticket Office : 069/59 07 84
Website : www.rfctournai.be
Main Sponsor : Dufour
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, red short, yellow socks
Budget : 500 000 euro
Chairman : Philippe Rasseneur
Gaffer : Christophe Denie (° 17/10/1966) – manager career : RFC Tournai (2008-?) first assistant now headcoach

DARKO'S SECOND DAY

SUMMARY DAY FOUR

K.A.S. Eupen boss Dany Ost has urged fans and players not to get carried away with their impressive start of the Exqi-League season.  After the Belgian Cup humiliation the Pandas bounced back with three straight League wins in a row, the win at K.S.K. Ronse via a bullet header of Mombongo and further strikes of French striker Lepiller and Serb midfielder Milicevic giving them a dreamstart in this campaign totalising 10 out of 12 maximum points.  Knowing that K.V. Ostend lost their first points of the season at Le Pairay in Liège one day earlier the boys from the Kehrwegstadium are occupying first place in the ranking with a better goal difference than the Seasiders.

Gaffer Ratko Svilar insisted he will not be lowering his sights after Royal Antwerp Football Club produced a mediocre display in a tedious encounter at RAEC Mons. He was angry with the lack of courage from some of his players but it’s a fact that our beloved colours have hardly burst from the traps, picking up just five points from their first four games.  Now that the so called easier games are coming up Ratko believes his team will climb the table in the forthcoming weeks.

In the other games K. Lierse S.K. are finding their rhythm at last, Jurgen Cavens scoring all 4 goals for the home team and therefore leads the goalscorer ranking netting 7 times already.  And gaffer Helleputte started with the experienced striker on the bench in their stalemate on the opening day of the season. What a luxury some managers have!

On his birthday Snelders gave his KSK Beveren side a lucky win in the dying minutes against a lacklustre AFC Tubize while FC M Brussels S. continued their good form from their controversial Bosuil win by thrashing opponents FCV Dender EH in the capital 4-1.  Lutula and Veselinovic once again on the scoresheet. Our next opponent Royal F.C. Tournai and KV Red Star Waasland drew at the Varennestadium, a very spectacular game ended 3-3  with two goals from emergent striker Cardon for the Walloon based club.

In the basement of the League KV Turnhout secured three valuable points at home against ambitious OH Leuven. With one goal and one assist Da Silva was the undisputed man of the match, particular in this story is that he went on trial at the city of the famous university and was rejected there.  His revenge couldn’t come on a better time, could it?

PROFILE OPPONENT * RAEC MONS

Friday 4 September 2009 - 8.30 PM (c.e.t.)

Referees: Jean-Baptist Bultynck - Pascal Engels - Jeroen Walschap

What if there is a cult computer game called Exqi-League Manager which does just what it says on the tin. Every minute detail is sitting there, waiting to be tinkered with by a wannabe boss. From setting up scouting systems, to negotiating contracts, to buying players, to selecting a team, to playing an actual match. Which mean there is a whole generation of geeks who think managing an Exqi-League club is a doddle.  So come on then.  What would you footballing stats nerds give as advice to Rudi Cossey, the gaffer of RAEC Mons?
 
Our next opponent were relegated from the Jupiler League (Belgian First Division) last term and are hoping to bounce back on the first occasion.  Mons have received a wad of cash from departing players such as defender Buysens, midfielders Cordaro, Ragued, Brahami and Collet, striker Oris left the club to play for the Great Old.  But they were also big spenders by drafting in goalkeeper Peersman, defenders Sankaré, Demets and Timmermans, midfield maestro Zola Matumona and Grondin, further they raided FC M Brussels with the acquisition of striker Sanogo.  The Walloon based club, backed by influential political bosses are expected to make their spanky new stadium Charles Tondreau into a fortress.

RAEC Mons has played thus far two away games due to the installment of a new pitch at their ground, they lost on the opening day of te season at KV Red Star Waasland but secured three points with a last-gasp effort by Coppin at new boys St. Wetteren.  Mid-table obscurity is not an option for title candidates Mons so a winning home start would be nice for starters!

Founded : 1910
FA number : 44
Address : Avenue du Tir 80 – 7000 Bergen/Mons
Stadium : Charles Tondreau ( 10 150)
Ticket Office : 065/22 11 11
Website : www.raec-mons.be
Kit Colours : red shirt, white short, red socks
Budget : last season in first division 6,2 million euro, this season 3,5 million euro
Chairman : Dominique Leone
Gaffer : Rudi Cossey (° 02/08/1961) – manager career : 1995-2007 Lokeren OV(assistant), 2007-08/2008 OH Leuven, 09/2008 - ? RAEC Mons (first assistant now headcoach).
Honours : winner play-offs second division in 2002, title second division in 2006

DARKO'S FIRST DAY

SUMMARY DAY THREE

In England blunder ref Rob Shoebridge has been dropped by the Football League after his gaffe at Ashton Gate but what can we expect from referees’ supremos in our country after seeing referee Bylois making poor and dodgy decisions again and again during our home tie against FC M Brussels S. Giving two debatable spot-kicks at the visitors and as icing on the cake the sending off for minor calamities to our strikers’ partnership Pivaljevic (after 30 minutes) and Oris (after 75 minutes) should lead to a suspension of this referee, shouldn’t it?  Playing with 9 against 12 it wasn’t a surprise to see us lose three valuable points at home, by doing so tumbling at position number ten in the Exqi-League ranking.

After three games KV Ostend is still the surprise leader of the Exqi-League, the Seasiders gave visitors K.S.K. Ronse no chance and a brace of exciting youngster Mokulu in the first 20 minutes was enough to secure maximum points. Bar the leaders there are seven other teams still unbeaten with KVSK United, K.A.S. Eupen, AFC Tubize and KV Red Star Waasland the chasing pack on 7 points each. KVSK United lost their maximum at RBD Borinage although old Antwerp boy Pinxten giving them the lead with a header after a corner. In the Eastern part of Belgium KAS Eupen brushed aside a poor K.S.K. Beveren side, after 20 seconds the ball was already on the spot, Maric converted in two times. AFC Tubize had no difficulties with K.V.K. Tienen while KV Red Star Waasland for the moment can cope with the absence of the topscorer of last term Onana and added another threepointer at Puyenbeke on their total.

Rock bottom are K.S.K. Ronse and OH Leuven, the latter losing again at home vs K. Lierse S.K. (1-3), they have already conceded shedloads of goals, thirteen to be precise and in desperate need of a new chairman after their last one stepped down today.

SUMMARY DAYS ONE & TWO

The new season’s only two weeks old but it must feel like a continuation of last term for gaffers Van Der Elst and Vande Velde.  The KVSK United’s manager admits he could hardly have expected a better start of the new Exqi-League campaign with two wins in a row and watching midfielder Davy Brouwers produce a man-of-the-match display on the opening day of the season thrashing home side OH Leuven with 3-6 followed by a home win vs new boys KV Turnhout.  On the evidence of Leuven’s thumping by United and Wetteren, JPV’s time would be better served talking the players at the club through the concept of defending.  After two games the ambitious club from the university city are rock bottom with already 10(!) goals conceded. Even better news for the leaders is the signing of exciting striker Jason Oost who’s experience at Dutch Eredivisie level will make them at least serious play-off contenders come May.

The second team with a maximum of points is the team managed by our former player Thierry Pister. KV Ostend surprise win at Walloon based club Royal FC Tournai was spectacular given the fact that the Seasiders were playing with 10 men, youngster Mokulu netting the decisive goal in the dying minutes at the Luc Varenne Stadium.

Royal Antwerp Football Club had a decent start of the season, they  moved into fifth spot after a well fought draw at  K. Lierse S.K., taking the lead after some impressive work from new Hungarian recruit Tibor Tisza. After the break Manu Kenmogne doubled the lead but we could not sustain and the big title favourites levelled with a last-minute effort from their captain Cavens. Good news is we had the best of the play in the ninety minutes and new striker Kevin Oris, defender Thomas Phibel and midfielder Benjamin Lambot proved all to be good acquisitions.

A team that could surprise is RBD Borinage who held K.S.K. Beveren at 2-2 making it a fine start with 4 points out of 6.  A brace from Kristof Snelders wasn’t enough to keep the points at the Freethiel.  Snelders going from hero to zero by not scoring from the spot, goalkeeper Coqu making a marvellous save.

In the other games on the second day of the season K.A.S. Eupen and AFC Tubize did win on the road, the first at local rivals Royal FC de Liège and the latter at K.S.K. Ronse. Both teams totalise four points and are expected to make it very hard for the frontrunners in this Exqi-League season 2009-2010.

THE EXQI LEAGUE COUNTDOWN

Half the sports fans in the country are already looking forward to August 19, the start of the Exqi-League season. This is what happens when the fixtures for the forthcoming football season are published: you scan the list for juicy encounters (K. Lierse S.K. vs Royal Antwerp Football Club on August 26 for instance) and start planning ahead, wishing your summer away. This is also the moment of unbridled optimism, when the full extent of your team’s inadequacy has yet to be tested by reality and you can dream of titles won and relegation avoided. Needless to say that fixture list overconfidence is an affliction that can strike down even the most elevated. What follows is a team-by-team guide to the 2009-2010 Exqi-League season – how will the teams fare?

Big spenders

K.A.S. Eupen are basking in the sun at the Kehrwegstadium, after escaping the drop last season with a rejuvenated side after the January transfer window, with 5 points they were a certainty to go down, but the new gaffer Danny Ost helped by rich Italian investors bought outstanding goalkeeper Radek and with Milicevic, Benzouien and Lepiller they added some firepower to the squad. Although wanted by clubs in the highest tier of Belgian and European football they have extended their stay in the Eastern German speaking part of Belgium.  Further acquisitions this summer included Marc Hendrikx from STVV and from Italy Maric, Djuric and Iandoli were drafted in. With a team-bonding session and training camp for 3 weeks in Italy they prepared this Exqi-League season where they start as one of the favourites for a play-off place or even an outside chance for the title.

K. Lierse S.K. are hungry for success and there will be a healthy(?) competition for starting places. They have lost young prospect Buyens, but with incoming transfers such as influential French defender Tournut, Belgian ex-international Deflandre and up front Tim Matthijs and prolific striker Thiebaut the club with the slogan “together champions” will be favourites to clinch the title come May.  Thanks to Egyptian investors group Wadi Degla there’s money in abundance and three Egyptian players will even bolster the squad with ex- Fulham and Everton player Radzinski and well-travelled Jurgen Cavens still the stars of the team.

R.A.E.C. Mons backed by political support were relegated last term to the Exqi-League but want to bounce back on the first occasion. With experienced goalkeeper Peersman, defenders Lepicier and Demets, midfielders Dickson and Bossekota, striker Coppin and as icing on the cake midfield maestro Zola Matumona they’ve done their homework and a play-off berth is the least  the Walloon based club is aiming for in their shiny new stadium.

Teams to watch

FCV Dender EH is the team with the most transfer activity, at the moment of writing ten outgoing transfers and believe it or not at this level fifteen incoming transfers. First-team stalwarts De Petter, Destorme, Deflandre, Berthelin, Sylla and Smajic all left the club while Mollez, Essikal, Van den Brandt and Imschoot are new faces at the Florent Beeckmanstadium. A season of transition looms although the abovementioned suggested that fees, wage demands and other factors won’t prevent the family Asselman to play their role in the play-off hunt come May.

O.H. Leuven has received some transfer funds by selling right-back Odoi and also want to offload Jarakovic and this can give championship maker JP Van de Velde some room to manoeuvre, but prudence remains a watchword at the city known for his famous university.  Leuven fans were not so much concerned about relegation as bored last season and the gaffer appears to have acknowledged the problem by promising that the team will ditch their direct style of play to robust striker Ruytinx and become a more attractive prospect.   JPV’s plan may founder, though, if he can’t sign a reliable pacy striker and someone to replace injured newcomer Lino from their Exqi-League rivals K.S.K. Ronse.  Annijs and Debroux are proven at this level and could make OHL from mid-table obscurity into play-off contenders.

KVSK United O.L lost Eberle and Van de Weyer, the first gap is filled with the acquisition of Chergui but the latter’s departure leave United with a significant gap to fill in attack alongside star striker Ketting.  The problem for United is that they are far from alone in seeking reinforcements up front and finding value for money has not proved straightforward.  Gaffer Van der Elst’s famed eye for a bargain may be needed although on temporary basis Azevedo and ex- Antwerpplayer Pereira can do the job and lead them to the dizzy heights of the play-offs.

K.S.K. Beveren has had a decidedly low key summer and their supporters can only hope that the new manager Johan Boskamp has something up his sleeve.  Boskamp’s aim is to keep hold of his squad rather than spend money.  If Jeffrey Rentmeister, left, resists overtures from bigger clubs, that in itself will probably represent Beveren’s biggest “signing” of the summer.  Sounds depressing, but Boskamp will give some youngsters the chance to shine at the Freethiel and has never pleaded for more cash, a big-money signing would rock the boat.  The arrival of  defender Collen and striker Snelders will give this team an outside chance on promotion via the play-offs.

FC M Brussels S. is still the club from the controversial owner Vermeersch and if ever a club needed an injection of new blood it is the team from the capital.  They almost spiralled out of control in the second half of last season and new gaffer Dessy is banking on Royal Antwerp trialist Eric Ndizeye but with Lutula and Matumona leaving the club it could be a long and draining season.  If a team set their sights on a Royal Antwerp far-from-prolific trialist it does not bode well.  Midtable or the chairman has to splash the cash on proven Exqi-League material.

Royal FC de Liège have completed some decent business – in and out – but are craving at least one “statement” signing.  Although De Pauw and Grandisson are good buys the most important achievement is the extended contract of ex-Milwall star Kinet.  For this team most Exqi-League followers have a soft spot.  Belgian FA number four and always an impressive and enthusiastic travelling contingent makes them almost everybody favourite second team.  The lack of a stadium of their own will hamper high ambitions so mid-table will do for Raphaël Quaranta’s team.

AFC Tubize were relegated last term, they were sunk under the weight of off-the-field chaos, shockingly bad buys and the sense that however bad things got, they were about to get worse. Their gaffer seems to have lost his managerial vim, while the owners and the board have certainly mislaid their wallet. Although they’ve bought cannily with Steens, prospect Gillis and goalkeeper Govoni their star players Perbet, Dufer and Lambot have chosen other horizons. May be trouble ahead or the only way is up, possibly to the play-offs.

Royal F.C. Tournai lost with Annijs, Di Tullio, Zebre and Scarpino some decent players but the gaffer, rather than be left to fine-tune his squad as he might have hoped, has instead been forced to contend with constant speculation about the future of the most important players, recruiting as always in lower divisions but the most important achievement of the Walloon based club is that set-pieces  specialist Frutos has extended his stay at the Varenne stadium.  A top-six finish as last year is the target but all depends on the new acquisitions.

K.V. Ostend will miss the goals from Sankaré and Grandisson and hopes that Deschacht and Wittesaele together with Laleman can bang in lots of goals, but goals galore at one end will mean little if you concede shedloads at the other.  Lahousse for Dindeleux is solid, shrewd if unspectacular business.  Wallaeys prolonged his contract and that is the best news the Seasiders could bring to their supporters.

KV Red Star Waasland has to live with the departure of the leader of the goalscorer chart in the Exqi-League last term, but gaffer De Roover is a master wheeler and dealer certainly in the lower divisions.  So, after Cameroon striker Hervé Ndjana Onana left for Jupiler League outfit STVV, it’s now time for Kielo-Lezi and Sampil to score the necessary goals and a certain Bobsam Elejiko together with his defensive collegues must deliver lots of clean sheets.

K.S.K. Ronse is still stung by the positive criticism they received during last season and manager Van Renterghem possesses a young, vibrant squad and this all on a shoestring budget.  Midfield dynamo Lino left the club but Vandendriessche and Martens are useful midfield acquisitions and another mid-table finish is expected.

K.V.K. Tienen did well before the winter break last term, but when Dufoor wasn’t scoring anymore the Sugarboys were losing ground on the frontrunners.  This season a lot is expected from new signing De Smet and midfielder Belme will give you plenty of goals but the loss of Nijs, Vandecauter, Thijs and Lunenberg will certainly mean KVK Tienen won’t be reaching the play-offs.

The new boys in the Exqi-League

To be represented in the Exqi-League is already a huge success for these teams, achieving promotion with average crowds less than 1 000 spectators meaning there is no glut of money available and maintaining a close-knit, family atmosphere within the camps is viewed as their best chance of securing survival.

K.V.K. Turnhout has enjoyed an ominously quiet summer what incoming transfers are concerned but will look for leftovers in Belgian and Dutch leagues to bolster their squad. Avoiding relegation is gaffer Desaeyere (ex-manager of Royal Antwerp) only ambition. 

On the other hand Boussu Dour Borinage did strenghten their squad with Royal Antwerp old-boy Preseaux, midfielder Leurquin and strikers Copel and El Khanchaf who have both  gained experience in the Belgian second division.  Wetteren is the unknown quantity in the second tier of Belgian footie, they are the first team to visit the Bosuil on the first day of the Exqi-League season.

THE REDS AT THE ZOO OF ANTWERP

Kai Mook, new born elephant at the Zoo of Antwerp this season, has been playing the star of the town ever since she was born, this Tuesday she had to share people's attention with the starlets of Manchester Utd during their visit of our city’s animal park. Later that afternoon the Reds returned home.

ROYAL ANTWERP - MANCHESTER UTD (RES.)

How did the Reds do at Bosuil Stadium on Monday? Read our report!

MANCHESTER UTD HAS A TASTE OF BOSUIL STADIUM

Ole-Gunnar Sjolksjaer, Warren Joyce and a MU select team visited De Bosuil this morning. Some of the players were more than happy to show off their ball skills in front of the ATV cameras..

Tom Heaton and Danny Simpson (seated in the visitors dug out) reflected on their playing days here. To initiate the new speaker installation The Agitators will perform ‘Red and White’, an appropriate number from these fervent supporters of the club. Come on U reds

UNITED IN HOLLAND

Warren Joyce, Marco Gbarssin & Alex Verveckken @ Wout van Overdamtornooi, Holland, 08.08.2009

MU Reserves warming up, central in the background you will recognize Ritchie De Laet

MU Reserves stormed through their group matches and went onto win the tournament

Ex-Royal Antwerp players with the MU Reserves: Ritchie De Laet, Tom Heaton and hidden behind Warren Joyce Danny Simpson

PROFILE OPPONENT * MANCHESTER UNITED II

In 366 appearances with 216 starts the current gaffer of the Reserves banged in 126 goals.  One goal stands out – the winner in the European Cup Final in Barcelona in 1999.  United have just equalised in the first of three minutes of injury time against German giants Bayern Munich; David Beckham takes a corner, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sticks out his right foot and United complete the treble.  But this isn’t the only highlight in his career, coming from Norwegian team Molde his debut set the tone in 1996, he came on as a sub vs Blackburn Rovers and scored within six minutes.  Has there ever been a better sub because his football intelligence helped him hit the ground running when he came on and exploit a situation, whether it be four goals against Nottingham Forest or that certain last minute winner in 1999. So, winning 15 major honours during a glorious 10-year Old Trafford career and known for his selfless professionalism and warm, humble character he had to call time on his career on 28 Aug 2007.  Nowadays he and Warren Joyce have the reigns of the Reserves squad of the World Champions.

Warren Joyce began his football career at Burnden Park in Bolton, later on he had spells at Preston North End, Plymouth Argyle, Burnley and Hull City.  At Boothferry Park with The Tigers started his managerial career where he performed ‘The Great Escape’.  Afterwards he worked for Leeds United (with Andy Welsh), Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers.  Royal Antwerp Football Club and Warren Joyce sealed an agreement in September 2006 and our former head-coach made his losing debut on the Belgian Coast against Ostend on Saturday 16 Sep when he fielded Simpson, Evans, Hilton, Mamam, Dong and Campbell in his team.  His endeavour led to two successive play-off participations but on Thursday 5 June 2008 he led our beloved colours for the last time at KVSK United O.L. when the Antwerpfans were chanting ‘Respect for Warren Joyce’ during and after the match.  Nowadays he has to guide Solskjaer in the right direction and nurture the Man United Reserves into first-team regulars.

The Manchester United Reserves and Academy are playing in their foreign Dutch/Belgian trip at Katwijk VV, WVO Tournament and as icing on the cake the following players can be seen in the flesh at the Bosuil on Monday : Heaton, Gray, Simpson, Zieler, Corry Evans, Chester, Gill, Dudgeon, Brown Reece, Wootton, Eikrem, Hewson, Norwood, James, Brady, Stewart, Ajose and Brandy. The Manchester United Reserves won two Cups last year and ended 7 points behind  surprise package Sunderland in the Reserve League.

RITCHIE DE LAET MAKES OLD TRAFFORD DEBUT

One of our brightest assests in recent history, versatile defender Ritchie De Laet is making a name for himself at United’s Reserves and even the first team. After starting in the first two outings with the Reserves at non-league club Fylde and League Two outfit Rochdale he was told by Sir Alex Ferguson to play in the high profiled pre-season friendly against Valencia in the Theatre of Dreams. Last Year Ritchie made his promising first team debut at the Kingston Communications Stadium at Hull in front of 24 945 spectators. In the game against Valencia he played at right-back bursting forward on every occasion supporting wing wizard Valencia and even offering superstar Wayne Rooney the chance to break the deadlock. With the formidable coaching help from the experienced centre-halve Rio Ferdinand the energetic right-back had a blinder of a game and enjoyed his first run-out on home soil in front of a huge crowd very much but stayed humble knowing he has to improve and gain experience to become a regular in Sir Alex’s squad. In the pre-season friendlies there were also starting berths for our former starlets Jonny Evans, Darren Gibson and Craig Cathcart. We’ll keep you informed about their progress in the forthcoming months…

SUMMARY TRIP TO THE BAIRNS AND THE DEES

Our pre-season campaign took us to the Falkirk Stadium on Saturday and scheduled on Monday night a visit to Dens Park on the border of the Tay.  In both games we were made of sterner stuff as SPL outfit Falkirk could only manage a 1-0 home win after diabolical man-marking by some Royal Antwerp defenders which saw Carl Finnigan decide the game with a free header on 78’.  More important news here was that the travelling Red Army (approx. 250 supporters strong) joined in the party atmosphere and gave a wonderful impression of our club, our city and Belgian footie in general.  So, only losing by the smallest margin against a side who had already gained European experience this season made us hopeful for our visit to Sandeman Street.

The prospect of seeing The Dees play our beloved colours only attracted 1 500 home supporters but they saw a smashing 3-3 draw, with both sides looking dangerous in attack and fragile at the back.  We took the lead three times in this highly entertaining friendly with Marquinhos, Pivaljevic and Kenmogne on the scoresheet.  Dundee admirably fought back and Mc Menamin sealed the draw which was a fair result in a hugely enjoyable game, the sort of pre-season friendly that fans want to see; with goals, skill, commitment, hard tackling and two teams keen to win played in a good British spirit.  But it has to be said that the Royal Antwerp fans housed in the famous Shankly Stand seemed happiest because they were having a non-stop party and never stopped singing and cheering and they were once again a credit to our club in our annual foreign pre-season trip.

PROFILE OPPONENT * DUNDEE FC

Dundee Football Club based on Tayside and founded in 1893 are nicknamed The Dees or The Dark Blues and play their home fixtures at Dens Park which can hold 12 085 spectators.  Although Dundee have a superior honours list than Falkirk, our opponent isn’t playing their trade in the highest tier of Scottish football.  Relegated from the SPL in 2005, they failed to gain promotion back as they finished 7th, 3rd, 2nd and 4th in successive seasons.  The board sacked boss Alex Rae and Jocky Scott was appointed on 30 October 2008 for his third stint at the club.  Dundee’s golden age came as Bob Shankly was manager and they clinched with players such as Bobby Cox and prolific striker Alan Gilzean their only Scottish title. 

The following season they knocked out 1. FC Köln, Sporting Clube de Portugal and RSC Anderlecht before being swept aside at the San Siro against the mighty AC Milan.  The latest piece of silverware came in 1973 with a Scottish League Cup win and since then it’s doom and gloom for our friendly rivals.  In 2000 the club made their biggest signing when they brought in Argentine international Claudio Caniggia.  As the captains of industry, the Marrs brothers saw that the attendances and the income were still short of the expected numbers they did quit the club leaving a debt of £23 million and The Dees were forced to go into administration.  They survived by selling their stadium and the new club strategy is now to nurture youth talents into first-team stalwarts.

Founded : 1893
Address : Sandeman Street, DD3 7JY
Ticket Office : 01382 889 966
Stadium : Dens Park (12 085)
Pitch size : 101m x 66m
Nickname : The Dees or the Dark Blues
Website : www.thedees.co.uk
Pubs : The Centenary Bar (near the ground) or The Clep Bar (Clepington Road)
Honours : Scottish Premier League in 1962, Scottish Cup in 1910, Scottish League Cup in 1952, 1953 and 1974 plus an amazing European Cup semi-final in 1963

PROFILE OPPONENT * FALKIRK FC

The club’s date of formation is a point of much contention, although most accounts point to the year 1876 as the probable starting point.  The club were admitted to the Scottish Football League in 1902 and before World War One the club enjoyed success afterwards Falkirk FC had to wait until 1957 to achieve more silverware.  Still playing at Brockville Park in 2000 and 2003 did mean no promotion to the SPL because this old venue didn’t meet the stringent SPL stadia requirements.  Falkirk finally won promotion to the Scottish Premier League on 9 April 2005 after a 1-0 victory over Ross County.

Preview season 2005-2006
To avoid being ripped apart in the SPL, gaffer Hughes needs to perform some major surgery on a defence that wasn’t even the best in the First Division last season.  Unfortunately the funds simply aren’t there and the Bairns boss admits he will have to chuck in some youngsters, cross his fingers and hope for the best. Result: negotiated that tricky debut season in the top flight with some room to spare, the talismanic figure of Russell Latapy one of the reasons!

Preview season 2006-2007
Home form at the Bairns’ spanking new stadium has been woeful, that will have to change if Falkirk FC are to enjoy an extended residency in the SPL.  Lesson from last season is that Falkirk did play too much football on occasions, while admirable also dangerous. Result: Hughes is making a name for himself by collecting 50 points and sixth-placed finish Falkirk FC is moving in the right direction, the contributions of loanees as striker Stokes and Kasper Smeichel in goal pays dividend.

Preview season 2007-2008
Manager Hughes has endeavoured to build consistent standards from the U19s to the first team, and his integrated approach is really bearing fruit on the pitch.  Although lacking a bit of physical presence of front still a lot is expected from the mercurial talent of Latapy and Darren Barr has graduated from the youth set-up into a first team stalwart so a mid-table finish will do. Result: Falkirk just fail to make a top six spot, but a seventh place is given their limited resources another fine effort.

Preview season 2008-2009
John ‘Yogi’ Hughes has instilled composure and confidence in his small squad and the playing pack has been shuffled over the close season, the additions of experienced players such as Mc Namara and Mc Cann making it a well-drilled squad. Result: a dramatic final day saw Falkirk FC secure 10th place and avoid relegation but there were some cup highlights to compensate the mediocre SPL season by entering the UEFA Europa League and this by losing with the smallest margin against Old Firm favourite Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup.

On 8th June 2009, Falkirk manager Hughes confirmed that he will take the reigns at his boyhood heroes at Easter Road.  A fortnight later Eddie May was confirmed as Head Coach. Falkirk’s first-ever foray into European competition ultimately proved a short-lived affair after Pierre Littbarski’s FC Vaduz team defeated the Bairns in extra time in Liechtenstein.  Ryan Flynn giving the Scots a 1-0 first leg win, even a travelling contingent of 1 000+ fans in the Alpine principality couldn’t prevent Noll and Burgmeier from scoring who gave the minnows a 2-1 aggregate win!

Best ever players of Falkirk FC in the past were Kevin Mc Allister, Mo Johnston, Chris Waddle, Russell Latapy and a certain (Sir) Alex Ferguson. At present time captain and versatile defender Darren Barr (1 cap), experienced defender Jackie Mc Namara (33 caps), midfielder Neill Mc Cann (26 caps) and playing in the Scotland under 21 prospect Scott Arfield are the ones to watch.

Founded : 1876
Address : The Falkirk Stadium, Westfield, FK2 9DX
Stadium : Falkirk Stadium – the new South Stand will be inaugurated for the Royal Antwerp visit, new capacity over 8 000 spectators
Gaffer : Eddie May who has a more cautious approach than ‘Yogi’
Club record attendance : 23 100 vs Celtic, Scottish Cup, 21/2/1953 Brockville Park stadium
Honours : Scottish Cup in 1913 and 1957, runner-up in 1997 and 2009
Website : www.falkirkfc.co.uk
Tickets : 12£
Away ticket allocation : 1 000
Nearest station : Grahamston
Pub : Behind the Wall, Melville Street
Fanzine : One F in Falkirk
Local Rivals : Dunfermline, rivalry beyond comparison
Main Sponsor : Central Demolition

ROYAL ANTWERP EXTEND VAN HEMERT CONTRACT

The 24-year-old arrived at the Bosuil in the winter of 2007 when he was signed by former Royal Antwerp boss Warren Joyce from league rivals FCV Dender EH. The Dutchman was linked with several other Belgian and foreign clubs in the media but decided to stay and penned a new deal with the club for two more years. He stated: "Chairman Eddy Wauters was very fair with me. When I signed here from FCV Dender EH he said that if I performed and got in the team and stayed in the team I would be rewarded and he has been true to his word."  With this new agreement the rearguard and backbone of the team will be the same as last year and we know that Roel, who can operate on both flanks and in central defence together with his colleagues will deliver first and foremost clean sheets.

GREAT OLD DID NOT MANAGE TO OUTSMART OLD RIVALS

After last week’s bashing of K. Merksem S.C. (6th division), the Great Old had to head down South for a meeting with ‘fading glory’ K. Berchem Sport. The yellow-black home team has a splendid 101-year old past with some great years in first division, but has recently sunk to the lower divisions of Belgian football. Fourth Division is their sad fate at the moment, but this doesn’t mean that the old rivalry between these two century-old clubs has vanished.

Again Head Coach Ratko Svilar chose to give some try-out players the chance to hunt for glory and a permanent contract at R.A.F.C., so again we met Marquinhos, Caio and Niels Martin in the first half, hereby experiencing latest signing Thomas Phibel’s unofficial debut at Royal Antwerp. The weather was poor, and so was the general performance of both teams. K Berchem Sport was equal to our red-and-white heroes in the first half, although the Great Old managed to miss all of their 5 chances.

Six new players on the pitch in the second half, but this did not really improve the game level. Xande and Adriano were among those 6, but could not force an opening in the Berchem defense. Some poor long-range shots could not trouble the local goalie, and the handfull of better chances we had, were missed or saved by the keeper. A bit of a let-down this second friendly, we might say. Luckily we won’t have to wait for the next sparring partner for too long: next adversary is Dutch second-divisionist RBC Roosendaal, who we will meet on Friday at Wijnegem Kasteellei Stadium.

MERKSEM NO MATCH FOR NEW R. ANTWERP F.C.

Finally, the long awaited day ajourned: the first pre-season friendly! Local amateur team K. Merksem S.C. (6th division) was to be the first victim of  the ‘new’ Great Old, and so it happened. Coach Ratko Svilar wanted to give some players ‘on trial’ a chance to impress the board and supporters, so a lot of unfamiliar faces entered the pitch. Among them: Caio (28), Marquinhos, Xande and Adriano (the four Brazilians from Santos FC and Saõ Bernardo) in the first half, and Niels Martin in the second. Also it was the first chance to see (and judge) new official signings like Benjamin Lambot, Audry Diansangu, Icham El Messaoudi and Yannick Put.

The game itself fulfilled the expectations. Ray Fränkel opened the score from close range, Xande netted one, Caio became the hattrick-hero with three goals and youngster Geoffry Hairemans added one in the last minutes of the game. 0-6 the final score, and the enthusiastic away crowd saw enough to give them hope for the upcoming season. The next fixture is planned against old city rivals (yet now playing in fourth division) Berchem Sport, and will not be as easy...

TARTAN ARMY HERE WE COME

Ryan Flynn gives Falkirk winning debut in Europa League against FC Vaduz. New Bairns manager Eddie May’s tenure began on a positive note as the home side celebrated their first ever game in Europe with a win that might just be enough to see them through the second leg in Liechtenstein next Thursday. Disappointingly, for such an historic occasion, there were only two stands open to house the crowd of 5,763 spectators. Well, Royal Antwerp will play against the mighty Bairns on August 1 with a 3 pm kick-off in their pre-season Tour of Scotland.  A new stand will be inaugurated and a decent travelling Royal Antwerp contingent will be there as happened with previous encounters with Bolton Wanderers (Reebokstadium), Hull City (Kingston Communications Stadium) and Bristol City (Ashton Gate)!  Can you lot beat the 6,000 mark on this occasion, otherwise the second Scottish away trip two days later at Dens Park in Dundee must become a crowd-pleaser because we knocked out local rivals Dundee United in a second round tie on our famous European campaign in 1989 when we were world-beaters.  Be there on the 3rd of August at Dens Park with a 7.45 pm kick-off.

The new schedule of friendlies for Royal Antwerp Football Club are :

Date	Time	Pitch	Opponent
Friday July 10th	10.00 am cet	Bosuil	first day of practise
Saturday July 18th	6.00 pm cet	Merksem	K Merksem SC
Tuesday July 21st	7 pm cet	Berchem	K Berchem Sport
Friday July 24th	7 pm cet	Wijnegem	RBC Roosendaal
Sunday July 26th	6 pm cet	Kapellen	RFC Cappellen
Tuesday July 28th	7 pm cet	Zoersel	KFC Antonia
Saturday August 1st	3 pm gmt	Falkirk	Falkirk FC
Monday August 3rd	7.45 pm gmt	Dundee	Dundee FC
Wednesday August 5th	8 pm cet	Mol	KFC Rac. Mol Wezel
Saturday August 8th	6.00 pm cet	Oostmalle	KVC Oostmalle Sport
Monday August 10th	7.30 pm cet	Bosuil	Manchester Utd II

ANOTHER NEW SIGNING : THOMAS PHIBEL

Marco Gbarssin had to do with Thomas Phibel in last season's game at Bosuil Stadium, now they are team mates at Royal Antwerp

Royal Antwerp Football Club are showing their ambition to reach at least the play-offs by signing Thomas Phibel.  Another youngster (° 21/5/1986) from French descent born in Guadeloupe.  He played several years in the Belgian Second Division at the Yvan Georges Stadium in Virton, going from strength to strength grabbing positive headlines in the papers and soon a dream move to R Standard Liège became reality.  Liège’s big boss Luciano D’Onofrio saw in the youth ranks of RC Lens nurtured player the successor of American international and defensive stronghold Oguchi Onyewu.  But the giant defender was plagued by injuries in his first season and didn’t gather a lot of playing minutes on the Sclessin pitch.

Afterwards he wasn’t a first-choice pick of new Romanian gaffer Laszlo Bölöni and went on loan to Exqi-League outfit FC M Brussels.  A strong first half of last season wasn’t followed by more outstanding displays because the chairman of Brussels rang the changes when the team lost ground on the frontrunners.  This season Thomas Phibel hopes at a fresh new start at the Bosuil to prove himself…

NEW AT ROYAL ANTWERP: BENJAMIN LAMBOT

Royal Antwerp Football Club have made a major coup in the transfermarket by letting former AFC Tubize player Benjamin Lambot sign for two years with an option to prolong. Lambot can play in a variety of positions up front, as a lone striker or what he prefers behind the forwards. This familiar face for the Royal Antwerp faithful learned his trade at WS Woluwe in 1991, was picked up by RWDM in 1996, went back to White Star in 1999 and had also a second stint at RWDM in 2000 before AFC Tubize signed Benjamin in 2001. In their promotion haul Lambot gave AFC Tubize goals and assists, nevertheless new gaffer Cartier only gave him 61 playing minutes in the Jupiler League and he moved to the outskirts of Belgium to play for Royal Excelsior Virton in the Exqi-League in a loan deal. He played 12 games for the relegated side and is eager to prove that his success with AFC Tubize wasn’t a fluke. He hopes that Royal Antwerp Football Club can match his ambitions to play again in the highest tier of Belgian football. Bonne chance, Benjamin!

A DRINK TO DARKO THE KING: TWO MORE YEARS

As a mainstay of Ratko Svilar’s set-up and one of the more passionate and consistent performers in a Royal Antwerp side under severe financial strain, Darko is momentarily something of a flag bearer for the supporters.  If there’s a rallying call to be made, his name is invariably heard in the media as one of the more senior players.  Royal Antwerp Football Club is proud to announce that our Serbian ace, our magical centre-forward put pen to paper and signed an extension for two more years.  We all hope that in the first year of his contract he will perform and will guide us out of the Exqi-League and seal promotion and in his last year of contract in the Belgian First Division, the Jupiler League will still be there to ease eventual relegation worries with some outstanding performances he’s capable to deliver. We wish Darko Pivaljevic (born February 18, 1975 in Valjevo) two more wonderful years in his third spell with Royal Antwerp Football Club.

QUARTET FROM BRAZIL AT BOSUIL

The exit trials are football’s cattle market – one last chance for rejected youngsters to save their career.  But this is a different story.  Our chairman Eddy Wauters with his perfect scout’s eye went to Brazil and came back with a quartet of youngsters blessed with pace and technical skills.  Three of them come from the highly rated Santos FC – a famous sporting name alright remember Pélé - and the last one comes from São Bernardo in the same city.

Roberto Rocha Marquinhos is a 22-year-old right-back, Adriano Santos Assumpçao and Diego Alexandre Xande are versatile 19-year-old midfielders and up front a lot is expected from 20-year-old striker Caio Gonçalves De Jesus nicknamed ‘the goalmachine’.  This crop of unproven youngsters will get the neccesary help to adapt in the team (via translater Sebastián Setti) and in social life. A pleasant and successful stay at the Bosuilstadium for our Brazilian contingent would be nice for starters…

ROYAL ANTWERP YOUNGSTERS DEFEATED IN NIGERIA

Royal Antwerp youth were ambassadors of Belgian Football during festive weekend at Kwara Football Academy, Ilorin Nigeria from 2 to 6 of July 2009. Well-known football coach José Mourinho was guest of honour and advisor for KFA. Young Royal Antwerp played the team of Ilorin based KFA and it was tough competition for our youngsters.

On arrival at the KFA Stadium, the first thing to be noticed was the poor quality pitch with its strangely high-cut lawn. In order to get used to this pitch, coach Guy Vandecauter decided to have a light training session in preceding the game. Although a prestigious one, the Royal Antwerp coaches still approached this game as a friendly, which resulted in some youngsters having to perform at unusual positions.

As earlier mentioned, the African youths were conducted by José 'The Special One' Mourinho, whose task was to motivate and push the kids to their limits and beyond. Another highly placed guest was the local Governor, his excellency Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who even invited the Belgian visitors to enjoy a meal at the Governor's House afterwards!

When the highly anticipated visitors arrived at the stadium, the venue was already flooded by hundreds of young fans – an amount that was to rise to more than 14.500 (exactely the number of people the Bosuil can currently house) during the game. The welcome was very warm and friendly, and the decibels raised to the highest levels, despite the hot and sweaty weather.

The game itself was mostly dominated by the home team. In the first half, the Academy ensured a penalty kick, but saw this opportunity stopped by Royal Antwerpgoalie Jeroen Hofmans. With a little delay, the expected lead for the yellow jerseys was established in the second half. A goal from short range highlighted the home supremacy, which were more than equal to our youngsters physically as well as mentally.

The visitors weren't at all demotivated though and enjoyed every second of the game. The red-and-whites came even very close to the equalizer, but their counter missed its target. Of course it needs to remembered that this Royal Antwerp Youth team never before played together and despite the defeat, fought for every inch of the pitch and excelled in teamspirit and sportmanship.

The unforgettable journey ended with a great night in the company of the Governor and Mr. Mourinho. Speeches were given, meals brought and dancing performances showed, but inevitably the juniors wanted to explore the other kinds of nightlife in Ilorin. After the local bar and disco, the evening saw its end with a game of poker in the hotel's lounge. And everyone agreed: this trip was one to remember!

DOUBLE SWOOP FOR ROYAL ANTWERP

Royal Antwerp FC has today made their first move in the transfer market by lining up a double swoop for promising young guns, both the result of top-drawer scouting work.  The first incoming transfer is the skilful promising starlet Audrey Diansangu, the 17-year-old striker struggled for opportunities at Club Bruges KV and hopes to shine in the Exqi-League with our club who sealed an agreement for two seasons plus option with Audrey.

The second incoming transfer is the 19-year-old Icham El Messaoudi (°16.05.1990) who played for Exqi-League rivals FC M Brussels S. last term and Icham penned a one-year deal plus option with Royal Antwerp FC. 

Both are expected to participate at the first training session at the Bosuil today and we wish them an enjoyable and successful stay in the ambitious and traditional surroundings of  Belgium’s FA number one!

NEW CALENDAR EXQI-LEAGUE – FIXTURES AUGUST 2009

In the first round of the Exqi-League season we entertain newcomers KRC Wetteren at the Bosuil on Wednesday August 19.  Then followed by the fifth round of the Belgian Cofidis Cup (if we manage to beat KV Turnhout or a team from lower divisions). On Wednesday August 26 we make the short trip to the hotly tipped favourites to win this years title, K.Lierse S.K. at the Herman Vanderpoorten Stadium. Four days later at the Bosuil we have a home tie against the team of the capital, FC M Brussels S.

FROM THE BELGIAN FA HEADQUARTERS

The draw has been made for the first until the fifth round for the Belgian Cofidis Cup. Royal Antwerp Football Club enter this competition in the fourth round at the Bosuil on August 16 with a 4 pm kick-off. We will be hosting Exqi-League newcomers K.V. Turnhout at the holy ground.  This only if K.V. Turnhout can beat lower league opposition as KVW Verbroedering Maasmechelen or K Herk-De-Stad, Esperanza Neerpelt or SC Zichen-Zussen-Bolder in the previous round.

If our beloved colours reach the fifth round they will have to entertain RRC Gent-Zeehaven or a team from the same division or lower league outfits with also a chance of meeting a team from the Walloon area!  This tie will be played on August 23 with a 4 pm kick-off and we will be playing away unless both teams can settle for an agreement to reverse the home advantage.

Last Saturday at a Belgian FA meeting it was announced that from this season onwards players in the Jupiler League (Belgian first division) and Exqi-League (Belgian second division) who receive a straight red card will be punished within the space of a week.  The report of the referee with detailed information of the misconduct from the players(s) involved must be sent the morning after towards the Sportscommittee.  Each Tuesday or Friday the committee give the verdict to the clubs who then decide whether they appeal or not.  If so the verdict will be final at the next committee session meaning it will only take 5 working days between the actual sending-off and the appeal with the outcome that the players who are red-carded will be suspended from the next following round.

MOURINHO, WESTERHOF PLOT AGAINST ROYAL ANTWERP

Kid Players of Kwara Football Academy (KFA) will engage their visiting counterparts, the Royal Antwerp FC Junior Internationals from Belgium in a high profile match at the Ilorin Township Stadium on Saturday. Bookmakers have tipped the KFA to emerge victorious because of the availability of one of the most revered soccer managers in the world, Jose Mourinho, who will be on the bench alongside renowned Dutch tactician, Clemens Westerhof to advise the KFA side. The Belgians, who are highly rated, with premiership stars in their fold, will be wary of the intimidating credentials of the KFA boys who have beaten the famous Ajax Academy by a 0-2 score line in Amsterdam during their European tour of 2008 where they played six matches.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets had to come from behind to pull a draw during the appetising showdown in Ilorin as part of the high profile events of "A Day with KFA" in March this year. Nkechi Obi, CEO Premium Sports Management Services (PSMS) – Consultants to KFA, enthused that the KFA boys have all it takes to win the match. "They are playing on home turf in front of their number one fan, Governor Bukola Saraki. The entire country will be behind them and they will be watched by international scouts so the opportunity beckons on the boys to show the stuff they are made of. Above all, the "Special One", Mourinho will provide the requisite charisma to spur them on."

Obi disclosed that the match will be beamed live across Africa, adding that a good measure or understanding and support has been assured by media partners.She paid glowing tribute on Dr. Bukola Saraki, founder and principal financier of the Academy. Like the Ajax soccer academy in Holland, Aspire – the Academy for Sports Excellence in Doha, Qatar and the Asec Soccer Academy in Abidjan, Cote d’ Ivoire, the KFA is easily the biggest project any state government has embarked on that supports the youth in a structured environment with free accommodation, tuition, medics and administrators. This is a classic case of working the talk, most probably unknown in this clime. Tickets for the match goes for N1, 000, N2, 000, and N3, 000 and can be gotten at Intercontinental Bank, GTBank and Zenith Bank only at the Ilorin branches from Wednesday 1st to Saturday 4th July.

WESTERHOF TO RECEIVE MOURINHO AT KFA

Lagos — Clemens Westerhof the director of Kwara Football Academy has disclosed that he is very ecstatic about the imminent arrival of former Chelsea FC coach, Jose Mourinho to the Kwara Football Academy (KFA) this weekend. The former Super Eagles technical adviser who along with the Inter Milan coach are going to seat on the bench of a KFA selected team in the friendly game with the Royal Antwerp FC junior team on July 4, said at the weekend that everyone at the academy was looking forward to the arrival of Mourinho.

"The coming of Mourinho to KFA is very big news. The students are so happy, the staff is eager to meet him and myself? I think it is a very big thing Governor Saraki has done for us, bringing into Nigeria the Special One," stressed the football tactician. Asked how he is going to compare notes with Mourinho's during the game at the Ilorin Township Stadium, the self-styled 'Dutch-gerian' replied "Mourinho is a proven soccer tactician. Don't forget he is a European champion. The Royal Antwerp FC Junior Internationals are from Europe. Now, I am an African champion too with the Super Eagles. The match will be played on Nigeria's African soil. So we have the right combinations to win the match for the Ilorin crowd and for Nigerians in general," enthused the loquacious tactician.

Already, bookmakers have started to tip the KFA side to emerge victorious come Saturday, pointing at the record churned out so far by the Ilorin academy. The KFA boys had in the past beaten the famous Ajax Academy team with a 2-0 score line in Amsterdam during their European tour last year. They played six matches against some academies and feeder teams of some top European club-sides. Nigeria's Golden Eaglets had to come from behind to pull a vital draw during an appetizing showdown in Ilorin as part of a high-profile event to mark the "A Day with KFA" last year.

FROM THE BELGIAN FA HEADQUARTERS

The draw has been made for the first until the fifth round for the Belgian Cofidis Cup.  Royal Antwerp Football Club enter this competition in the fourth round at the Bosuil on August 16 with a 4 pm kick-off.  We will be hosting Exqi-League newcomers K.V. Turnhout at the holy ground. This only if K.V. Turnhout can beat lower league opposition as KVW Verbroedering Maasmechelen, K Herk-De-Stad, Esperanza Neerpelt or SC Zichen-Zussen-Bolder in the previous rounds.

If our beloved colours reach the fifth round they will have to entertain RRC Gent-Zeehaven or a team from the same division or lower league outfits with also a chance of meeting a team from the Walloon area!  This tie will be played on August 23 with a 4 pm kick-off and we will be playing away unless both teams can settle for an agreement to reverse the home advantage.

Last Saturday at a Belgian FA meeting it was announced that from this season onwards players in the Jupiler League (Belgian first division) and Exqi-League (Belgian second division) who receive a straight red card will be punished within the space of a week.  The report of the referee with detailed information of the misconduct from the players(s) involved must be sent the morning after towards the Sports committee.  Each Tuesday or Friday the committee give the verdict to the clubs who then decide whether they appeal or not.  If so the verdict will be final at the next committee session meaning it will only take 5 working days between the actual sending-off and the appeal with the outcome that the players who are red-carded will be suspended from the next following round.

YANNICK PUT IS NEW AT ROYAL ANTWERP

SCHEDULE FRIENDLIES JULY-AUGUST 2009

The old season is dead, the thoughts for the new season begin, excitement building towards the most intense passage of football in history: 11 months climaxing with the dream of Timmy Simons (captain of the Belgian national team) lifting the World Cup in Johannesburg. That’s fantasy football thinking but maybe John Terry or Rio Ferdinand for the three lions doing a round of honour and lifting the most coveted price in international football could be reality come July 2010! So, the journey into the next decade is going to be some adventure.

Summer is the time when hope springs eternal and from the kick-off at the first training session on Friday 10 July the following friendlies are already arranged : Sat 18 July vs K Merksem SC (6 pm), Tue 21 July vs K Berchem Sport (7.30 pm), Fri 24 July vs RBC Roosendaal (7 pm at Wijnegem), Sun 26 July vs K Gooreind VV, Tue 28 July vs KFC Antonia (7 pm), Wed 5 Aug vs KFC Rac. Mol-Wezel (7.30 pm) and as icing on the cake Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Warren Joyce are bringing the best prospects the Manchester Reserves and Academy have to offer at the Bosuil on Monday 10 August with a 7.30 kick-off time.  Just be there and see the Man Utd youngsters in the flesh if you know that in the last years the World Champions have nurtured Welbeck, Fabio, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Danny Simpson, Darren Gibson, Lee Martin, Craig Cathcart and Macheda. This time it will be another crop of youngsters that Warren and Ole will bring to shine at the holy ground!

GEOFFRY HAIREMANS IS ‘A RED’

The first incoming transfer is a fact. Royal Antwerp Football Club agreed a three-year contract with Geoffry Hairemans. Geoffry was born on the 21st October 1991 and this promising youngster formed in the youth ranks of Rapid Deurne and K Tubantia Borgerhout VK had a decent spell under stewardship from our reserve gaffer Guy Van De Cauter. This stylish, tall and with a lot of technical skills gifted player even made his debut in the Exqi-league home tie vs K.V.K. Tienen and as icing of the cake he played more than 30 minutes in the regional derby against K. Lierse S.K. In this two outings he impressed as a winger who can operate on both flanks. He’s looking forward to the first training session on July 10th and even changed his holiday plans to be fit and ready from day one. Talking about a good mentality! Needless to say he’s heavily supported by the Royal Antwerp faithful, his twin-brother being his biggest fan. We do wish Geoffry Hairemans a successful stay at the Bosuil and the Great Old is now looking for further strengthening in other team compartiments. Wait and see in the forthcoming weeks…

SUMMARY LAST ROUND PLAY-OFFS

In our last competitive game of the 2008-2009 campaign we played K. Lierse S.K. at the Bosuil, an enjoyable tie ended in a 1-1 draw. Although finishing bottom in the play-off ranking gaffer Ratko Svilar will remember the positives of last night’s game. Creating half of a dozen chances in the first half hour must lead to a logical advantage on the scoresheet but Royal Antwerp Football Club had to wait until the hour mark to score when substitute Baert was brought down in the area and the spot-kick was converted by no one less as goalkeeper Ristovic. Unfortunately our colours had to concede a lucky equaliser on a corner that never should have been awarded in the 87’. Read our matchreport and watch some footage at RAFC.TV.

That’s it, then. Another season over. After playing friendlies, 36 Exqi-League games in the regular season, two qualifying games to enter the proper play-offs and finally the 6 play-off ties itself a long season with many ups and downs came to a rather satisfying end. Look back at the Exqi-League season 2008-2009 in years to come and you’ll see the big three in the top three places.  K. St. – Truidense V.V. and K. Lierse S.K. had the biggest budget of all teams and their ranking at the finish line as numbers one and two were expected. Our colours staged a formidable comeback after Ratko Svilar took over the reigns of Dimitri Davidovic in the middle of February and ended in third spot.

With the Tour de France, Wimbledon and The Ashes to come, this may turn to be a great summer of sport, although it’s unlikely the Confederations Cup in South Africa will have too many of us pinned to our sofas. Football junkies can also watch the cream of the continent in the European U21 Championships but it will be four weeks until our club will return in training and a fortnight later they probably will be back in action for the first friendlies against lower league outfits. How will we survive?

Regular updates from incoming and outgoing transfers will surely follow in the forthcoming weeks and also the fixture list of friendlies will appear here soon.  Needless to say the Royal Antwerp faithful will be hoping to add a Championship ground at their list after visiting the Kingston Communications Stadium and Ashton Gate in the past two summers!

ROYAL ANTWERP - K LIERSE SK

Bosuil - Thursday 11 June 2009 - 8.30 P.M. (c.e.t.)

referees:

Squad: Ransford Addo suspended; Matthias Trenson, Ray Fränkel, Marco Gbarssin, Spencer Verbiest, Volkan Özen out.

Yellow cards: Darko Pivaljevic, Slobodan Slovic, Roel van Hemert (2), Zarko Jelicic, Ray Fränkel, Ransford Addo (2).

RANSFORD IS SUSPENDED

SUMMARY FIFTH ROUND PLAY-OFFS

The last away match saw us entertain KSV Roeselare at Schiervelde in front of a bumper crowd of 8 000 spectators. The home side won the encounter with 4-2 to ensure first place in the group and guarantee their place in the Jupiler Pro League next season. Royal Antwerp Football Club playing with a makeshift defence conceded a goal after just one minute of play,  equalised just after the break and then referee Delacour refused to award a spot-kick for a blatant handball by a Roeselare defender. This was the turning point of this game and the home side helped by further dodgy referee decisions took the lead thanks to ex-WBA reject Sherjill Mac Donald and experienced midfielder Tanghe making it 4-1 before Emmanuel Kenmogne could add on his already impressive goal tally this season.

On Thursday awaits K. Lierse S.K. at the Bosuil when a long and draining season comes to an end.  Maybe the chance for some youngsters to shine at the holy ground?

From the Belgian third division KS Wetteren, R Boussu-Dour Borinage or Francs Borains as it was called earlier and KFC Turnhout join the Exqi-league whereas KFC VW Hamme and ROC de Charleroi M. couldn’t prevent relegation in the play-downs and therefore will play in the third tier of Belgian football next season.

KSV ROESELARE - ROYAL ANTWERP

Schiervelde - Sunday 7 June 2009 - 4 P.M. (c.e.t.)

referees: Christophe Delacour - Eddy Roosens - Michaël Gerard

Squad: Roel van Hemert suspended; Marco Gbarssin, Spencer Verbiest, Volkan Özen out.

Yellow cards: Darko Pivaljevic, Slobodan Slovic, Roel van Hemert (2), Zarko Jelicic, Ray Fränkel, Ransford Addo.

ROEL MISSES GAME AT SCHIERVELDE

SUMMARY FOURTH ROUND PLAY-OFFS

Royal Antwerp Football Club sealed their first win in the play-offs campaign by beating FCV Dender EH at their Florent Beeckmanstadium.  A Saintini goal for the home team wasn’t enough to keep the Jupiler Pro League relegation strugglers at bay because Manu Kenmogne could capitalize on a rapidly executed Slobodan Slovic’ free-kick and in the dying seconds our centre-back Ray Fränkel headed the ball past a hapless Berthelin.

This win gives us back a little theoretic chance of promotion but gaffer Ratko Svilar did admit that KSV Roeselare is now tipped as hotly favourites to stay in the highest tier of Belgian football.  They just need one point out of their last two remaining fixtures due to their win at the Lisp with deadly strikerspartnership Mc Donald and Benjelloun once again on the scoresheet.  Let’s hope that on election day our beloved colours will again be motivated as last night and who knows…?

FCV DENDER EH - ROYAL ANTWERP

Florent Beeckmans Stadium - Thursday 4 June 2009 - 8.30 P.M. (c.e.t.)

referees: Sébastien Delferière - Vincent Despiegeleer - Lieven Masil

DEFENDERS HAVE TO FEAR

SUMMARY THIRD ROUND PLAY-OFFS

Although there is still a mathematical chance of promotion for K. Lierse S.K. and Royal Antwerp Football Club the reality is that the play-offs are once again proving to be a bridge too far and both clubs with a lot of tradition and fanbases are admitting that they are preparing for another Exqi-league season.

Our game at the Bosuil in front of a 9000+ crowd against a more mature FCV Dender EH was the second home loss in the play-offs and the main reasons for us not having the result we desired were a poor ball retention, this was the crucial area that cost our beloved colours the game. If FCV Dender EH get hold of the ball, then their passing and movement is probably the best we have seen at the Bosuil for a long time and with Zukanovic, Jacobs, Sanchez and a very impressive Destorme they bossed the midfield and Royal Antwerp were chasing shadows. Further you need your special players to rise to the occasion and make the difference but Antwerp’s two superstars Kenmogne and Pivaljevic just didn’t perform to the level expected. Neither Emmanuel nor Darko could do anything about it when our opponent cut Royal Antwerp to ribbons. Gaffer Ratko Svilar has gone into all of our so called big games with his box-to-box midfielders Setti and Gbarssin, certainly the latter was missing because Marco will always get his foot in and work relentlessly up and down the pitch and the midfield shortcomings without his endeavour were obvious to notice.

At last a word of praise for unsung hero Ransford Addo, who has been struggling last season where he has had the occasional good game but this year he has looked like his old self and had another blinder of a game. Read our match report and watch some footage at RAFC.TV.

In the other game on Sunday afternoon KSV Roeselare won with the smallest margin against a Lierse side with a goal coming at the first attack on goal via Benjelloun. So, K. Lierse S.K. must win their remaining three games to stand any chance of promotion while relegation strugglers FCV Dender EH and KSV Roeselare will battle it out for the final spot in the Jupiler Pro League. Will it go to the wire?

PROFILE OPPONENT * F.C.V. DENDER E.H.

Sunday 31 May 2009 - 4 P.M. (c.e.t.)

referees: Tim Pots - Yves De Neve - Frederic Stalport - Filip Vermeire

In recent history we met our next opponent two times in the regular 2006-2007 second division.  At a packed to the rafter Bosuil Stadium in the last competitive game of Simpson, Evans and Dong we brushed FCV Dender EH aside with a convincing 3-0 scoreline. Despite this win FCV Dender EH held on to win the Championship and won the return leg against a lacklustre Royal Antwerp’s side who only had one target namely to make Fraizer Campbell topscorer in the goalcharts but local hero Gunther Thiebaut pipped him.

Whereas F.C.V. Dender E.H. achieved a miracle by staying in the highest tier of Belgian footie the year after this season proved to be difficult because in the last game of the regular season they could avoid to enter the play-offs by winning at home against mid-table Charleroi and some defensive howlers led to a defeat and nail-biting play-offs. One of the reasons for this is the lack of communication between the board, the technical staff and the sportive and commercial manager.  CEO De Doncker, who threatened to leave his post finally made the decision to sack former Stoke City manager Jan Boskamp and gave all the powers to the family Asselman who are now running the show at the Florent Beeckmanstadium.

The squad has two experienced goalkeepers in Martinovic and first-choice Berthelin who isn’t reliable in the air.  A dodgy defence comprises ex-Belgian international Deflandre at right-back and Blondelle as an attacking left-back.  In central positions there are the likes of influential De Petter partnered by Neva.  Wiggers, Fred and Mvemba are defensive substitutes.  In the midfield area David Destorme is the star player with 11 goals and 6 assists on his tally.  The other midfielders are Jacobs and Zukanovic with Sanchez as a valuable sub.  In this area exciting young prospect Daan De Pever is one for the future.  Because Sunday’s opponent tactical set-up is almost certain a 4-3-3 formation new recruits Aganovic and Saintini are the wide men whereas lynchpin Smajic run the show as a offensive playmaker and scored 5 goals and totalised 4 assists during the Jupiler Pro League season.  If needed there will be some extra power from youngster Wittesaele or good old Bart Van Den Eede while Norman Sylla with 7 goals and 2 assists is Dender’s favourite pinchhitter.

Founded : 1952
FA number : 3900
Address : Stadionlaan 5 – 9470 Denderleeuw
Ticket Office : 053/66 91 92
Stadium : Florent Beeckmanstadium (8157)
Website : www.fcvdendereh.be
Kit Colours : blue shirt, black short, black socks
Main Sponsor : Van Gansewinkel and Brother
Budget : 5,5 million euro
Chairman : Patrick De Doncker
Gaffer : Patrick Asselman

SUMMARY SECOND ROUND PLAY-OFFS

Despite the game ended on a stalemate at the Lisp Royal Antwerp Football Club could be seen as moral winners of this round due to a very professional performance of the players, technical staff and last but not least the more than 2 000 away fans who cheered their favourites to seal a much-earned point. Playing without the injured Kenmogne our team had three golden chances in the space of six minutes, first a fantastic collective move resulted in Pivaljevic one on one with Kujovic but the latter produced a sublime save. Slovic soon followed with an enormous chance before Jelicic hit the bar against a dodgy Lierse defense. Although hometeam K. Lierse S.K. took over in some spells of the game with Cavens hitting a rebound over from a well parried Wahed’s shot by Risto and Trenson clearing a ball of the line, the more creative midfield of our boys made some second-half chances for Slovic and Gbarssin.  At the end both gaffers were satisfied with the point in this tradition-laden derbygame in front of approx. 10 000 spectators, although Ratko Svilar was more pleased about the performance of his squad then the actual result.

In the other game of this round KSV Roeselare and FCV Dender EH also shared the points at Schiervelde in front of a meagre crowd figure of 2.740!  Goalkeepers Sierens and Berthelin stood firm on all attacks both sides threw at each other and after 2 rounds in the play-offs it’s KSV Roeselare leading with 4 points, the chasing pack K. Lierse S.K. and FCV Dender EH totalising 2 points and our beloved colours still in contention albeit with only 1 point closing the row for just one spot in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League next season!

PROFILE OPPONENT * K. LIERSE S.K.

Stadium Herman Vanderpoorten - 28 May 2009 - 8.30 PM (c.e.t.)

Referees: Luc Wouters - Walter Vromans - Erik Waegemans

In 1904 Gustaaf van den Roye proposed to start up a football club following the example of Antwerp. After some opposition and several meetings to hear more details of his football plans on 6th March 1906 Lierse was born and the first board established.  The very first game was against soldiers from the local barracks.  After being officially affiliated to the Belgian FA in 1909 Lierse played on a pitch in rural Kloosterheide, in 1912 moved to the ‘Molekens’ before inaugurating their current home, the Herman Vanderpoorten stadium since 1925 better known as the ‘Lisp’.  After winning the Belgian league in 1932,1942 and 1960 came the famous Elland Road experience of a lifetime on 21st September 1971.  The yellow-blacks had lost a fortnight earlier at the Lisp against the Leeds superstars with 0-2 and nobody gave a chance for our next opponent in the return leg.  After 90’ the scoreboard at Leeds read an improbably 0-4 defeat for the locals and the Cup holders were knocked out thanks to some unknown Flemish players.  The next highlights in their history came when Eric Gerets took the reigns and guided the team from obscurity to something which nobody thought possible, he led Lierse in 1997 under the stewardship from the assistant coach of now, Eric Van Meir, to their fourth Belgian title with a little bit of help from Royal Antwerp who defeated everybody’s hotly tipped favourites, Club Brugge in the last but one round.   In 1999 Lierse won their second Belgian Cup but couldn’t hold their main young assets and keeping up with the elite clubs in Belgium had now become the top priority.  The last years have been doom and gloom with e.g. a not so well communicated bribery scandal with a certain Zheyun Yé but since the Egyptian investors group Wadi Degla with Maged Samy took over a new era of hope is expected and the Lierse faithful, always with good attendances of over 6 000, are chasing direct promotion from the Exqi-league (Championship) to the Jupiler League (Premiership).

K. Lierse S.K. ended the season in second position in the much contested Exqi-league, the self-elected Champions with the slogan ‘Together Champions’ were still 5 points behind the real champions K. St.-Truidense V.V.  In the Qualifying Round for the play-offs they did manage to beat KV Red Star Waasland 4-3 on aggregate with the decisive goal in the second leg at the Lisp coming in the dying seconds from Nikolic. On the first day of the play-offs they held hometeam FCV Dender EH to a 1-1 draw.

For the run-in of the last 5 play-off games experienced gaffer Herman Helleputte has a mix of young, hungry talent and experienced players to pick from.  In goal Serbian Vladan Kujovic is an imposing figure.  Although not a really big presence in the area he is sharp, agile and alert and you know that if you ever got the ball into the net past him, you’ve done really well.  He played for Levante and Roda JC and his positional sense is superb, his football skills are excellent and as a 30-year old his standards or commitment won’t be dropping.  Belgian goalkeeper Van Der Jeugt is second choice.

Leftback or left-midfielder is our former player Garry De Graef who via second division teams in the nearby Netherlands and German side Paderborn came in the Summer transfer window to the Lisp and is a dogged, tough in the tackle and very adventurous defender going forward – he’d get deep into the opposition half and deliver assists for his forwards.  Garry is doubtful for the Royal Antwerp clash and could be replaced by Camacho.  In central defence Dreesen (who had a unlucky stint at Club Brugge last year) forms a partnership with the tall Bojovic who’s dangerous on set pieces.  Both defenders are enthusiastic and up for every game, determination for winning beyond belief.  Last one in the row of defenders is rightback Julien Tshiala, family of a famous female TV star and although not the tallest extremely strong for his size and very energetic.

In midfield young talent Buyens signed this week an agreement with rivals KV Mechelen and the injured De Witte are bossing the defensive areas but youngster Meyers and January signing Janssens from feeder club KV Turnhout will come in whereas Egyptians Wahed (11 goals already) and Samir are occupying the flanks.   Macedonian Nedzipi can also figure in midfield.

The strongest part of the side is the almost endless array of attacking talent with Ghanian Agblexo, Nikolic from Montenegro and Theeratep Winothai from Thailand and from Burundi there’s also Ndikumana (injured).  But the two strongest assets of the team are the much travelled Jurgen Cavens (Olympique Marseille, Standard and Twente) and off course the Mickey Mouse of the Exqi-league, Tomasz Radzinski who used to play and terrorise defences in the Premier League for Everton and Fulham.  This deadly duo already have 39 goals between them and are undoubtely the greatest finishers in the current Exqi-League.  They can score any kind of goal – 25-yarders, dink them over the keeper, whatever you like – and it’s all down to dedication!!!

This gritty team is managed by Herman Helleputte who will keep his team’s feet on the ground.  Herman is a great human being and will always keep the game simple, there are no complex tactics and it’s all about graft on the training pitch!

Founded : 1906
FA number : 30
Address : Lispersteenweg 237 – 2500 Lier
Stadium : Herman Vanderpoorten (14 538)
Ticket Office : 03/480 13 70
Website : www.lierse.be
Main Sponsor : Wadi Degla Group (Egypt)
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, black short, black socks.
Budget : 3,5 million euro
Chairman : Corneel De Ceulaer
Honours :  Belgian league title in 1932,1942,1960 and 1997  Belgian Cup in 1969 and 1999
Participated 10 times in the European Cups (remember Leeds!)
Gaffer : Herman Helleputte (°22/3/1954) – manager career : Lierse (1988-1994) assistant and from March 1991 head coach, Germinal Ekeren (July 1994-November 1995 and from October 1996- May 1999), Germinal Beerschot (1999-2000,assistant), Harelbeke (2000-January 2001), Dessel Sport (January 2001-March 2001), Beveren (2002-2005), Westerlo (2005-2007), Lierse (2007-?)

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT TEN)

(picture: archive De ANTWERPSUPPORTER Online)

As the crow flies, Hull and Barcelona are 860 miles apart.  Few will argue that, in football terms, the distance is much greater.  Hull City already discovered to their detriment the sheer depth and strenght of footballing talent assembled at Old Trafford with the likes of our former players Lee Martin, Darren Gibson and new Belgian international wearing number 44 shirt for the Mancunians, Ritchie De Laet. While the Irish international grabbed the headlines by scoring  a majestic thunderstrike from 30 yards it was also the young Belgian getting the plaudits for his defensive and offensive endeavour.

THREE HAVE TO FEAR

SUMMARY FIRST ROUND PLAY-OFFS

We would wager that there are few men more determined to spend their summer holiday contemplating life in a higher division than Royal Antwerp’s gaffer Ratko Svilar. Svilar has won plenty of generous praise this season and our team made plenty of friends along the way of his short spell on the helm of the oldest club in the country and until now our team seemed to have an irresistible momentum about them. But spectacular headers from Mirvic and Benjelloun at the Bosuil spoke of fearlessness and a desire to express themselves for KSV Roeselare, modelled in the image of their manager Dennis van Wijk. For vim and enthusiasm they are top of the pile even after losing star striker MacDonald with two yellow cards. After a 3-1 home loss to KSV Roeselare, manager Svilar looked at his crushed and deflated players in the dressing-room and told them to bottle what they felt at that moment, to use it as a powerful motivating tool. What Ratko said made a lot of sense and suggested a coach who can seek out the positives from a largely disappointing situation.

On Thursday evening to the Lisp with the momentum and confidence we had in the final weeks of the Exqi-League season and that will be a first step taking us all the way to the promised land of the Jupiler Pro League. But K. Lierse S.K. whose game at FCV Dender EH ended in a stalemate isn’t operating on a modest budget and got promotion as their ultimate target. Three points for starters would be nice, wouldn’t it?

PROFILE OPPONENT * KSV ROESELARE

Bosuil Stadium - Sunday 24 May 2009 - 4 P.M. (c.e.t.)

Referees: Stéphane Breda - Bernard Lepage - Gregory Crotteux

At the start of last century FC Roeselare and SK Roeselare were fighting for local bragging rights.  Both clubs are coming from different political surroundings and finally in 1999 under a lot of pressure from the local press and businessmen both teams decided  to merge and KSV Roeselare was born.  In the 2003/2004 our next opponent were pipped on the last day of the play-offs but it was a sweet revenge one year later when they gathered 16 points out of a possible 18 (whereby 6 out of 6 against the Great Old) and reached the promised land of the Belgian first division.  In the top flight of Belgian footie they were recognised for their giant-killing acts especially in home game under stewardship from gaffer Dirk Geeraerd.

This season a relative poor squad was assembled by Director of Football Wim de Coninck with below-par transfers such as Mulisa, Daïneche, Bétrémieux, Troch, Soares, Lutun, Tokpa, Jalliti, De Wilde and Hietanen and the manager soon paid the price for this unproven crop of players where most of them have already explored new horizons.  And although our former manager Wim de Coninck was responsible for this mess at Schiervelde, the board opted to sack Geeraerd and appointed the man who brought them in the first division a couple of years ago, his name well known in East Anglia, Dennis van Wijk.  Dennis could convince the board to spent heavily and brought in the January transfer window acquisitions such as Croatian midfielder Perisic, Dutch striker Mac Donald and a lot of utility players in Ten Heuvel, Huygebaert, Lazarevic and Benjelloun.  Top draw reinforcements and although KSV Roeselare went from strenght to strenght, five games before the end of the Jupiler Pro League season they collapsed and got 0 points out of their last five games. 

Although KSV Roeselare can field a strong team two players are attracting the headlines for their goalscoring abilities, one is Croatian midfielder Perisic being followed by Jupiler Pro League champion-contenders RSC Anderlecht and the other is the much matured Dutch striker Sherjill Mac Donald who already signed a lucrative 4-year deal with our local rivals, Germinal Beerschot.

Founded: 1999
FA number : 134
Address: Dikmuidsesteenweg 374 – 8800 Roeselare
Ticket Office : 051/22 99 22
Stadium : Schiervelde ( 9,593)
Website : www.ksvr.be
Kit Colours : white shirt, black short, blue socks
Main Sponsor : Deceuninck (artificial silk factory)
Budget : between 5,750 000 and 6,000 000 euro
Gaffer : Dennis van Wijk ( °16/12/1962) – manager career : FC Knokke (player/trainer,trainer 1994-1995), KV Ostend (1996-10/1998), Daring Blankenberge (10/1998-11/1998), Cercle Brugge (11/1998-2002), KSV Roeselare (2003-2006), Willem II (2006-11/2007), KV Ostend (11/2007-12/2007), K. St.-Truidense V.V. (12/2007-06/2008), West Bromwich Albion (scout, 06/2008-10/2008), KSV Roeselare (10/2008-???)

SUMMARY SECOND LEG QUALIFYING ROUND

R Antwerp FC-RFC Doornik

It doesn’t happen often but we predicted in our preview a 2-0 home win as the ideal scenario and after only 84 seconds our king Darko Pivaljevic broke the deadlock at the Bosuil and 8 minutes later a second goal from the Serbian ace sealed the win in front of 11,000 jubilant fans. Afterwards our still unbeaten gaffer Ratko Svilar paid generous tribute to RFC Tournai’s coaching staff, players and fans before praising his own players after their 38th competitive game of the season had ended in their most significant victory so far.  But the Serbian gaffer explained that the result had given his team the opportunity, nothing more, nothing less, than reach the proper play-offs with K. Lierse S.K. from the Exqi-League and KSV Roeselare and FCV Dender EH to compete in 6 ties for the last ticket to the promised land of the Jupiler Pro League next season. We can’t help but think that Ratko’s level headed approach will serve his team well in the forthcoming weeks. Read our match report or watch some footage at RAFC.TV.

Royal Antwerp Football Club are now 6 matches away from reaching the Belgian First Division and our proud club has been out of the top flight of Belgian football for the last 5 years and if Svilar was not getting carried away, then the clubs supporters were in a mood to celebrate.  None of them seemed in any rush to leave the Bosuil and the post-match news conference was almost interrupted over the tannoy that 11,000 jubilant fans make in the neighbourhood of the holy ground.  So, our team knows how to win and has shown a resolve and tenacity that must please our manager who will be confronted against opposition of a higher calibre in KSV Roeselare and FCV Dender EH together with Exqi-League rivals K. Lierse S.K. who overcame a nuggety KV Red Star Waasland team 4-3 on aggregate in their tie with the winner coming from substitute Nikolic in the dying seconds!

This morning at the Belgian FA headquarters the draw was made for the play-offs and this was the outcome : May 24 KSV Roeselare (home) – May 28 K. Lierse S.K. (away) – May 31 FCV Dender EH (home) – June 4 FCV Dender EH (away) – June 7 KSV Roeselare (away) – June 11 K. Lierse S.K. (home). Only the winner will participate in next year Jupiler Pro League. Come on you Reds!

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT NINE)

Manchester United sealed a third successive Premier League title by getting the point they needed against the Gunners in front of 75,468 spectators at Old Trafford after an afternoon gripped by tension.  Congratulations from everybody involved at Royal Antwerp Football Club for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side who equalled Liverpool’s record of 18 titles and of course United’s defence with our former stars John O’Shea and Jonny Evans delivered another clean sheet at the final whistle. In this game the Ireland international, Mr Reliable at right-back dealt well with Russian star Arshavin and then full England international Walcott wasn’t a problem and John capped another solid display with a superb tackle on Fabregas.  Our former starlet Jonny Evans again filled in for Rio Ferdinand, was occasionally uncertain in possession but the Northern Ireland international did exhibit his class with one superb sliding tackle on Dutch international Van Persie.  After some nerves jangled in the final stages, club captain Gary Neville was a proud person when he lifted the Barclays Premier League trophy.

Next week follows a trip to the Kingston Communications Stadium at relegation strugglers Hull where Darron Gibson hopes to feature and then there’s for this magnificent side, this starship packed with enterprise the Champions League final in Rome on May 27 against the likes of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and other Catalan players.  Can Ronaldo, Rooney and team-mates surpass Liverpool’s thrilling class of ’84, themselves immortalised by deeds on the banks of the Tiber.  Twenty-five years on, game on.

PREVIEW ROYAL ANTWERP FOOTBALL CLUB VS ROYAL F.C.TOURNAI

R Antwerp FC-RFC Doornik

Saturday 16 May 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)
Referees: Claude Bourdouxhe - Pascal Engels. - Toon Bieseman

Ratko Svilar at Stadium Luc Varenne (Tournai-Doornik, May 9th 2009)

Royal Antwerp Football Club are seven steps from the promised land, the Jupiler Pro League.  On Saturday the second leg of the Qualifying Round for the proper play-offs awaits us and the ideal scenario will be something like this at 9.45 pm. At the Bosuil Stadium as the final whistle sounded gaffer Ratko Svilar (unbeaten run of 12 games since taking over from Dimitri Davidovic)will turn and walk towards opposite number Gerrit Laverge and exchange a word of two about the good organisation from the technical staff, the fantastic work ethic, real hunger to win and the no-fear attitude of the Royal F.C. Tournai’s side. 

Ratko Svilar & Gerrit Laverge at Bosuilstadium (Deurne-Noord, April 18th 2009)

Then Svilar will make his way onto the pitch, shaking the hands of the match officials and several opposition players before strolling over to his adoring Royal Antwerp Football Club supporters, a contingent of more than 10 000 jubilant fans.  Will Ratko Svilar do the act of pulling his red sweatshirt at the sides, a significant statement because it will hint at a pride in his appearance and a respect for his fellow professionals; a man who wants things to be done right? Or does he simply put his hands in the air at least momentarily after the final whistle, or will he embrace his backroom staff in celebration? After all, he had just seen his team win 2-0 (in the regular season RFCT never lost with a margin of more than 2 goals!) to book their place in the proper play-offs where they will take on probably K. Lierse S.K., KSV Roeselare and KV Kortrijk to define the latest competitor for next season’s Jupiler Pro League. This 6 ties will be the ultimate final challenge of a long and draining season. Come on you Reds!!!

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT EIGHT)

Manchester United moved a step closer to retaining the Premier League title after beating local rivals Manchester City in the weekend at the Theatre of Dreams in front of 75,464 spectators and neighbouring rivals Wigan at the JJB stadium on Wednesday night in front of  21,286 spectators.  The Mancunians only need one more point in the home fixture against Arsenal or the away tie on the final day of the season at Hull to clinch the title and make their trophy cabinet even more impressive.

In the Manchester derby a Cristiano Ronaldo deflected free-kick and a 20-yard powerstrike from Carlos Tevez in the first half was enough against their bitter rivals with Belgian Vincent Kompany and Brazilian Robinho giving a below-par performance.  Further to mention the fact that Northern Ireland international and former Royal Antwerp star Jonny Evans played the first 70’ of the derby before being substituted by another former Royal Antwerp legend, the Irish international John O’Shea.

Yesterday’s encounter at the JJB came at the end of a day when Liverpool’s captain, Steven Gerrard, was inexplicably voted Footballer of the Year, Manchester United showed why they are the team of the year, why they will be champions, why they are packed with players who deserve individual honours.  Fighting back from Wigan’s Columbian striker Rodallega’s shock opener at 28’ it was once again an inspirational substitution by Sir Alex who made the difference. Coming on in the 58’ Carlos Tevez for Anderson.  Three minutes later the Argentine’s outrageous flick diverted in Carrick’s shot to level for United.

And resisting the enterprise of Steve Bruce’s men, United charged forward in red waves, refusing to contemplate two dropped points and four minutes before the final whistle they reaped the reward when Michael Carrick came running on to John O’Shea’s pass to shoot left-footed home from the edge of the area, really getting the title party started.  John and Jonny having another 90’ under their belt and one more point required for a new Premier League title and off course the Champions League final at the Eternal City is also looming. We’ll keep you informed in the forthcoming weeks…

SUMMARY FIRST LEG QUALIFYING ROUND

Ratko Svilar’s side take a 0-0 stalemate into the second leg at the Bosuil Stadium on Saturday night.  Christophe Martin, the RFC Tournai goalkeeper, who was man of the match in the first leg, is expecting another stern examination of his credentials on Saturday after he prevented Kenmogne and Pivaljevic to score after only 6 minutes at the Luc Varenne Stadium.  In a normal season you would say that the return leg is delicatedly poised but, given our recent home form, we shouldn’t have a hell of a mountain to climb.  A repeat of the 2-1 home victory a couple of weeks ago will be enough to qualify for the play-offs. 

The technical staff and the players of Royal Antwerp Football Club know they have a job to do and that they have got to do things a little bit differently and just got to try and win the next game as a stepping stone to the play-offs where six tough other ties awaits our team in pursuit of the promised land in the Jupiler Pro League.

In the other first leg of the qualifying round for the play-offs favourite K. Lierse S.K. drew 1-1 at KV Red Star Waasland.  Everything happened in a space of 5 crazy minutes at Puyenbeke.  After 28 minutes Tshiala sent Cavens into space, Jurgen gave the ball to Egyptian playmaker Wahed who fired superbly in goal.  But the advantage was not held for long when defender Tshiala gave away a free-kick on the left hand touchline with a rash challenge.  Van Geele took it and the ball was diverted unfortunately into his own net by Dreesen’s body.  So, K. Lierse S.K. do have the advantage of the away goal and are big favourites to go through in the second leg on Saturday.

PROFILE OPPONENT * RFC DOORNIK/TOURNAI

RFC Doornik-R Antwerp FC

Saturday 9 May 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.) - Stadium Luc Varenne
Referees: Tim Pots - Bart Vandeweghe - Edwin Rys

Good organisation from the staff, preparation, a fantastic work ethic, real hunger and a no-fear attitude are the strenghts of our next opponent in the Qualifying Round to reach the play-offs.  Is this an honest assessment or typical bravado to disguise concern that Royal F.C. Tournai did gain on the frontrunners by clinching this unexpected ticket on the last day of the season?  The Walloon based club started the season on a high note, after only 5 games played they were in second position followed by a cup run halted by highflying Jupiler Pro League side R.S.C. Anderlecht and then ‘Les Sang et Or’ had a short blip but recovered soon and ended the season with 14 wins, 12 draws and 10 losses in fifth position in the Exqi-League.

With goalkeeper Martin, Belgian defenders Di Tullio and Guilmot gaffer Gerrit Laverge has experience in abundance in the defensive area.  The manager can also count on French defenders Zébre, Duquesnoy and Mouissi and January acquisition Annijs to make up the numbers in defence and they all have scoring abilities making Royal F.C. Tournai’s backline the most potent in the Exqi-League.  Also drilled in Laverge’s system are midfielders Seoudi, Desire, Scarpino and dead-ball specialist Alexandre Frutos.  Two of the goals we conceded against this opponent came from set-pieces and we don’t want that to happen again, do we?  Up front a lot is expected from Sebastian Dorizon whose dribbling abilities and technical skills are a treat to watch.  He will be partnered by young forward Cardon, who netted four times in the last home game against K.F.C. V.W. Hamme at the Luc Varenne stadium. Reliable substitutes are goalkeeper Gueguin, Delbeeke, Olungu and Hamid (defender) and Ridouane Sekour (striker).

Head-to-head and team-to-team statistics in the regular Exqi-League season :
Goalscorer: Kenmogne (4th in ranking with 18 goals), Dorizon (7th in ranking with 16 goals) Attack: RAFC (5/19 with 55 goals made from 36 games, 1.53 gpg), RFCT (8/19 with 53 goals from 36 games, 1.47 gpg)
Defense: RAFC (2/19 with 32 goals conceded from 36 games, 0.89 gpg), RFCT (6/19 with 41 goals from 36 games, 1.14 gpg) 
Clean Sheet: RAFC (3/19 with 14 clean sheets), RFCT (9/19 with 9 clean sheets).
Biggest win: RAFC – FC M Brussels S. 5-1, RFCT – UR Namur 5-1. 
Heaviest loss: K. Lierse S.K – RAFC 4-1, RFCT – ROC de Charleroi-Marchienne 1-3 
Form Table: RAFC (1/19 with 15 points out of 15), RFCT (4/19 with 10 points out of 15)  Yellow cards: Fränkel (33rd with 7 bookings), Mouissi (7th with 10 bookings) .
Red cards: Verbiest, Trenson and van Hemert for RAFC, Breleur and Dorizon for RFCT.

Founded : 2002
FA number : 26
Address : Rue du Follet – 7540 Kaïn
Stadium : Luc Varenne (7552)
Ticket Office : 069/59 07 84
Website : www.rfctournai.be
Main Sponsor : Dufour
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, red short, yellow socks
Budget : between 600 000 and 800 000 euro
Chairman : Philippe Rasseneur
Gaffer : Gerrit Laverge (° 12/04/1952) – manager career : SV Waregem (1993-1998,assistant), KV Kortrijk (2000-2001), KSV Oudenaarde (2003-2004), KSK Ronse (2004-2005), KMSK Deinze (2006-2007), Royal F.C. Tournai (2008-first season in charge).

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT SEVEN)

In front of a bumper crowd at the Emirates, once again in gathering glory, Sir Alex Ferguson got his game-plan absolutely right.  He flooded midfield, worker-bees called Anderson, Fletcher and Carrick buzzing around, harrying Fabregas, Nasri and other Gunners.  Out wide on the flanks Rooney and Park and in a central role Ronaldo.  Arsenal could hardly breathe, let alone move and with goals from the South Korean and the Portuguese wonderboy the Mancunians led 0-2 after only 11 minutes of play, the travelling contingent of 3,200 jubilant fans in delirium. After 61’ from an Arsenal corner, Park found Ronaldo, who backheels it to Park just 20 yards from his own penalty area. Park played in Rooney and when he served up a perfect pass between the legs of an Arsenal defender, there was Ronaldo to complete a picture goal with a finish high past Almunia. A virtuoso display from Manchester United only bittered by Italian referee Rosetti who showed a straight red card to Fletcher when Fabregas tumbled as the pair collided in the penalty area.  A consolation spot-kick goal from Van Persie made it a 4-1 aggregate score in a magnificent team effort with our former player John O’Shea playing at right-back (first 64’) and left-back (last 26’), that’s why Sheasy is known as ‘Mister Versatile’.

When the final whistle sounded the Last Post on Arsenal’s season, there were as many embarrassing gaps on the terraces as there had been in the hosts’ defence.  United’s supporters danced merrily down the road to the Eternal City but on Sunday there’s the small matter of the Manchester derby.  Although United’s defence was rock solid on the night adroitly marshalled by Ferdinand and Vidic, another chance to shine for our former stars O’Shea, Evans and Gibson (when the title is won) could be coming in the forthcoming weeks in the Premiership.

ALL TEAMS START FROM SCRATCH

In a two-leg semi-final in the coming two Saturdays Royal Antwerp Football Club plays Royal Football Club Tournai/Doornik in the Qualification Round to reach the play-offs.  It’s essential to know that yellow cards picked up in the regular Exqi-league season won’t count and that each participating team starts from scratch. Suspension will follow after receiving two yellow cards in different matches or also after two bookings in the same game.

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-EIGHT

Nine months of dreams, disappointment, hope and joy did draw to a close this weekend with the end of the regular season in the Belgian Second Division, nowadays known as the Exqi-League.  Each team has played 3,240 minutes of football over 36 games – and for many all their hard work, endeavour, desire and commitment boils down to one gut-wrenching Sunday afternoon.  In short, what did unfold on Sunday was the drama of the final day of the Exqi-League season.

Over the course of this season we have visited grounds that ought to host Jupiler Pro League football (Belgian First Division) and others that felt more like a homely social club. For us, this is a central part of the beauty of the Exqi-League, the fact that its 19 clubs take us across a rich and varied footballing spectrum. Rich and poor often exist cheek by jowl and refreshingly the wealthy don’t always end up drinking the end-of-season champagne. Well, that’s not entirely true because financial powerhouse K. St.-Truidense V.V. backed by an influential politician clinched promotion to the Jupiler Pro League last week.

Sunday afternoon it was that some play-offs contenders discovered their fate after nine long months united by their incredible work ethic and an unwavering desire to succeed - some will need a long time to recover nursing a dissappointment of staggering proportions.  So, it was on the final day of the season that Royal F.C. Tournai, K.V.K. Tienen, KV Red Star Waasland, K.V. Ostend, K.S.K. Ronse and KVSK United all harbour hopes of snatching two places for the Qualifying Round for a play-off ticket with the first two in the driving seat of a six-way tussle that could lead to the promised land.  Walloon based club Royal F.C. Tournai did play Royal FC de Liège at the Kehrwegstadium and the ‘home’ team, wedged in the comforting if slightly underwhelming safety of mid-table, the game ended on a stalemate which secured gaffer Laverge’s team of a spot in the Qualifying Round.  K.V.K. Tienen on the other hand brought a visit at the Bosuilstadium to face the mighty Reds and they lost against a well-inspired Royal Antwerp side with the narrowest of margins ending the season for the ‘Sugarboys’.  From this slip KV Red Star Waasland profited by beating local rivals K.S.K. Beveren at Puyenbeke with the 26th goal of the season from their Cameroon striker Hervé Ndjana Onana!

Stadium Luc Varenne RFC Doornik - R Antwerp FC - RFC Doornik Bosuil Stadium

The draw has been made at the Belgian FA headquarters and this is the outcome : KV Red Star Waasland vs K. Lierse S.K. and Royal F.C. Tournai vs Royal Antwerp Football Club in a two-leg final (home and away with K. Lierse S.K. and Royal Antwerp Football Club having advantage (?) of playing the second leg at home).  Both winners will then take on nrs. 15 and 16 of the Jupiler Pro League in a round-robin of six ties in the play-offs to define the latest competitor of the Belgian First Division next season!

ROYAL ANTWERP - KVK TIENEN

Plenty of pre-match speculation as to the Royal Antwerp line up. Svilar keeps his own counsel and leaves out Kenmogne, Slovic, Pivaljevic and Ristovic as well as the injured Frankel, Trenson and Gbarssin. He juggles with the line-up, Van Trier in goal, Baert in and with the captains armband and a debut for Hairemans, 17 and the only reserve team player in the side. Do you want to know more? Read our report.

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.V.K. TIENEN

Sunday 3 May 2009 - 3 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Christophe Delacour - Davy Buelen - Kristof Meers

In his fifth season in charge gaffer Daniël Nassen will go for the traditional K.V.K. Tienen virtues of solid organisation, psysical strenght and good team spirit in Sundays clash at the Bosuilstadium.  The ‘Sugarboys’ have to win this game to reach the Qualifying round for the play-offs.

The back four comprises Vanhees, Vandeput, Peeters and Triantafilidis who offer all the guarantees Nassen is looking for and in goal K.V.K. has the ever-present and reliable shotstopper Schuermans.  The defensive stategy is generally to force the opposition to attack on the flanks, where space is more restricted.  The very attack minded midfield with Bogaerts, Belme, Thijs and Vandecauter support the front two.  Normally exciting winger Ilenga Penga is one to watch and will buzz around in the left and central areas and in the centre prolific striker Dufoor links intelligently with forward Haznadar. Unfortunately all the aforementioned strikers have long-term injuries so gaffer Nassen must rely on winter break signing Nelis and Vanarwegen or midfielders to lead the attack in this crucial game for our next opponent.

Line-up vs Royal FC de Liège : Schuermans, Vandeput, Triantafilidis (85’ Lunenberg), Vandecauter, Vanhees, Belme, Nelis (82’ Neven), De Silva, Penga (60’ Thijs), Bogaerts, Peeters.
Goals vs Royal FC de Liège : Belme (2), Thijs, De Silva.

Founded : 1981
FA number : 132
Address : Bergévest 12 – 3300 Tienen
Stadium : Bergé (6000)
Ticket Office : 016/81 32 24
Website : www.kvktienen.be
Kit Colours : blue shirt, white short, green socks
Budget : between 1,1 and 1,3 million euro
Chairman : Willy Schepers
Gaffer : Daniël Nassen (° 24/11/1966) – manager career : VW Oorbeek United (2004), K.V.K. Tienen ( from 2005)

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT SIX)

John O’Shea signed his professional forms at 17 and made his debut in 1999 at Villa Park in a 3-0 Football League Cup defeat. Following loan spells at Bournemouth in 2000 and Royal Antwerp Football Club in 2001 (14 Belgian league games and 3 friendlies) he returned to Manchester and began to feature in the United first team in the 2002-2003 season, demonstrating versatility by playing in goal (2007 vs Spurs), at left-back, right-back, centre-back, central midfield and even in the 2007-2008 season as an emergency striker due to the Mancunians' injury problems.

April 2001, John shows his colleagues (Jonas De Roeck, Gunter Ribus, Bernt Evens and Kris Mampaey) his road to the Theatre of Dreams

In the semi-final of the Champions League against the Gunners our former star had his finest moment in United’s colours after only 18 minutes of play at the Theatre of Dreams in front of 74 733 spectators.  His team-mate Anderson whipped over a corner from the right flank, the danger appeared to subside as the ball cleared the centre.  An all evening influential Michael Carrick had other ideas, reaching the ball first, rounding Diaby and crossing low and hard.  The Gunners panicked and former Manchester United player Silvestre poked out a leg but succeeded only in diverting the ball to the unmarked O’Shea.

April 29th 2001: John and his teammates (Jurgen De Neys, Ki-Hyeon Seol and Tony Sergeant) ready to compete Club Brugge KV

Our former player did drive the ball right-footed past the despairing Almunia with such force the net stretched violently on the stanchions.  So, the Republic of Ireland international gave Sir Alex Ferguson’s side the advantage and United will be confident about scoring at the Emirates next Tuesday, so requiring Arsenal to beat Edwin van der Sar three times if they are to reach the May 27 final in the Eternal City.  Congratulations for Sheasy, Jonny Evans (came on as a substitute for Rio Ferdinand after 87’) and Giggsy (came on as a substitute for Anderson in the 66’) making his 800th appearance for the English, European and World Champions!

LAST DAY WITHOUT SUSPENSIONS

7:Ray Fränkel (01.04.'09).

6:Roel van Hemert.

5:Zarko Jelicic (21.02.'09 + 07.03.'09).

4:Ivan Vukomanovic (01.03.'09), Ransford Addo (04.04.'09), Darko Pivaljevic (12.04.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke, Spencer Verbiest.

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 18.02.'09), Manu Kenmogne (25.03.'09 + 04.04.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08).

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-SEVEN

You need players who are motivated and committed to the cause of the team, each player needs to be able to communicate with his team-mates to enable them to raise morale, players need a sense that they belong to a team, are united behind the same goal and have clear plans for dealing with situations within games. The players have to focus on the right things at the right time and not allow themselves to be distracted by things that may go on during the games. You have to be able as a team to control your emotions amidst different situations on the pitch and it’s essential that yellow and red cards should be avoided because they end up costing the team dearly. Well, experienced gaffer Guido Brepoels managed a side that are able to bounce back from a loss or a dip in form as they did before the Winter break (only 4 points out of a possible 12) and this Exqi League season his team with the reliable and very promising goalkeeper Mignolet, a solid centre-back pairing with the likes of Cantaluppi and Euvrard, an influential captain in midfielder Delorge and a top goalscorer in giant striker Sidibe backed by Siani and two players with Belgian grit who can score from midfield in Wilmet and new signing Mennes took the lead in the Belgian second division in round six.  The Canaries from chairman Roland Duchâtelet went from strength to strength and this Sunday afternoon they clinched the title in front of 10 000 jubilant fans at Staaien.  So, next year in the Jupiler Pro League after a one-year absence S.T.V.V. is coming home to compete with Belgium’s elite clubs.  Congratulations!

While manager Helleputte gave several regular first team players a rest for the match against R.O.C. de Charleroi (3-2 win), Royal Antwerp Football Club clinched their ticket for the qualifying round of the play-offs with a below-par performance against a lacklustre K.M.S.K. Deinze with a brace from unsung hero Lukanovic.

For the other 2 places in the qualifying round there’s a battle between Royal F.C. Tournai, K.V.K. Tienen, KV Red Star Waasland, K.V. Ostend, K.S.K. Ronse and KVSK United on the last day of the Exqi-league season.

In the lower echelons of the second division the decisions are already made, despite a rocky start K.A.S. Eupen are safe from relegation worries, K.F.C. V.W. Hamme, R.O.C. de Charleroi and R. Excelsior Virton will battle with third division sides in the play-downs and our last opponents UR Namur (after a two year stay) and K.M.S.K. Deinze (after a sixteen year stay in this division) are relegated!

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT FIVE)

Manchester United trudged into the dressing room two goals down, seemingly unable to stop an inspired Tottenham from cutting them apart with goals from Darren Bent and Luka Modric.  But then came Ferguson’s dressing room rhetoric and with the introduction of his Argentine catalysator Carlos Tevez United were inspired in the second half scoring five goals in the space of just 22 minutes, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo played the leads with two goals apiece and the fifth courtesy of former Spurs player Berbatov who perhaps sensing an urgent need to improve United’s goal difference.  With this win the Mancunians restore their three-point lead at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand.   Our former player John O’Shea came on as a substitute replacing Da Silva in the 70’ and another former Royal Antwerp star Jonny Evans was an unused sub.

Other important news is that Aston Villa forward Ashley Young took the Young Player of the Year award beating Manchester United defenders Rafael Da Silva and the Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans.  For the Professional Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award a certain 35-year-old Welshman took the plaudits and beat his team-mates Vidic, Ferdinand, Ronaldo, Van der Sar and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard. His name… Ryan Giggs! If Ryan lines up against the Gunners in United’s Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday, it will be his 800th club appearance.

KMSK DEINZE - ROYAL ANTWERP

A point is all that is needed but a win is preferable in Deinze if Royal Antwerp want to book an early place for the qualifying matches for the play-offs. Coach Svilar has a number of selection problems and he has to cobble together a makeshift defence. De Corte, after waiting patiently for weeks, is a given a run out at left back, Vervaeke is at right back and Setti is asked to play further back than usual. Deinze need the win to keep alive their hopes of surviving the drop and have Elejiko in their line up, obviously hoping he can put one across his old team. Read how both teams did.

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.M.S.K. DEINZE

Sunday 26 April 2009 - 3 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Sébastien Delferière - Dirk Gilon - Laurent Verkempinck

Our next opponents don’t have stability in the boardroom and ambitions will be hampered by the club’s precarious financial state, which means there is almost no money to spend on new players and the best outcome for this disappointing Exqi-league season is survival via the play-downs.  Can they rely on their current squad?  We don’t think so because K.M.S.K. Deinze have the worst defence bar Union Royale Namur in the second division with 62 goals conceded already, that’s a lot knowing that influential captain Velghe with also 6 goals on his tally is the stronghold of the defensive compartment of the squad but his partner and our former player Bobsam Elejiko is always good for a few defensive howlers! 

Further the Exqi-league followers noticed that the Deinze midfield are too often overrun and Gezelle, Laaloudj nor Weydisch can remedy this.  Then K.M.S.K. lost their French left midfielder Cousin in the transfer window and the balance in the team was gone.  With player of the year Van De Moortele in goal and a stable of decent strikers including Xavier Deschacht (brother of R.S.C. Anderlecht defender Olivier) and Patrick Kabeya-Mbaya whose partnership produced 17 goals, needs to protect the club from going down.  In his third season in charge, gaffer René Verheyen often made the mistake of sitting back when they have the lead especially before the winter break his cautious approach cost some goals in the dying minutes of the game.

Line-up vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Van De Moortele, Pardo (66’ Gezelle), Declercq, Blancke, De Wulf, Kabeya, Weydisch (46’ Bensi), Laaloudj, Deschacht (60’ Twum), Velghe, De Falco.
Goals vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Velghe and Kabeya.

Founded : 1926
FA number : 818
Address : Stadionlaan 5 – 9800 Deinze
Stadium : Van De Wielestadium (8000)
Ticket Office : 09/386 62 07
Website : www.kmskdeinze.be
Main Sponsor : VDK
Kit Colours : orange shirt, black short, orange-black socks
Budget : 750 000 euro
Chairman : Eddy Lannoo
Gaffer : René Verheyen (° 21/03/1952) – manager career : WS Lauwe (1988-1990), SV Waregem (1990-1992), Club Bruges KV (1992-2006, assistant), K.M.S.K. Deinze (from November 2007)

ROEL V.H. TOTALS THREE

7:Ray Fränkel (01.04.'09).

6:Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09 + 01.04.'09 + 18.04.'09).

5:Zarko Jelicic (21.02.'09 + 07.03.'09).

4:Ivan Vukomanovic (01.03.'09), Ransford Addo (04.04.'09), Darko Pivaljevic (12.04.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke, Spencer Verbiest.

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 18.02.'09), Manu Kenmogne (25.03.'09 + 04.04.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08).

ROYAL ANTWERP - RFC DOORNIK

Following the good series of results there is a large crowd to welcome their hero’s for the important game against Doornik. Coach Svilar can be proud of his record to date, picking up points in all his matches to date. Pivaljevic is wearing a distinctive face mask after his ‘collision’ with an opponents elbow last week.

With his son in the starting eleven (replacing a suspended Verbiest) it is a treat to see Iwan Fränkel give the kick off and to read how they did against RFC Doornik.

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-SIX

Royal Antwerp Football Club did certainly relish the challenge of playing Royal F.C. Tournai at their Bosuilstadium in front of 8 000 spectators. The home team, having responded superbly to the task of gaining the result they required, ending Tournai’s unbeaten run against Exqi-league opposition of late.

If Emannuel Kenmogne will claim the headlines, Royal Antwerp’s victory was rooted in the will to win of men like Trenson, Addo and Fränkel who only conceded a consolation goal when the game was already won. Kenmogne, all deft feet and the heart of a lion, continues to mature marvellously on the grand stages. With his brace our team only need one more point to clinch a play-offs berth in the remaining two games of this season.

In a Flemish soap story the fixture K.S.K. Beveren–K. St.-Truidense V.V. has been changed and rescheduled due to broadcasting rights in the Premier League (Belgacom TV) and Second Division (Exqi), but finally the game could take place on Saturday 18 April 2009, 8 p.m. sharp. The runaway leaders didn’t mind and after only 20’ it was game over for Luciano Olguin (who didn’t play) and gaffer Alex Czerniatynski’s men trailing 3-0 already.  With a win next week against not motivated opponents as FC M Brussels S. the title is for Guido Brepoels squad.  K. Lierse S.K. had a stroll in the park and could even free-wheel in the capital looking forward at a Belgian Cup semi-final against Jupiler league outfit Racing Genk!

With five goals of former Germinal Beerschot reserve starlet Verhoeven K.F.C. V.W. Hamme gave themselves a lifeline, they brushed our next opponent K.M.S.K. Deinze aside 6-2 who can only hope to avoid relegation via the play-downs.  Another side who’s in major trouble are Royal Excelsior Virton, they lost a crucial home game against play-offs hopefuls K.S.K. Ronse.  And a miracle has happened at the Walloon capital where relegated Union Royale Namur earned a well deserved point against KV Red Star Waasland, their 12th of the Exqi-league campaign.  Hurrah!

RITCHIE DE LAET AT MANCHESTER UNITED

One of our brighest assets in recent history, versatile defender Ritchie De Laet who played for us in the remarkable play-offs competition in 2007 alongside current Stoke City defender Ryan Shawcross is making a name for himself at United’s reserves where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and our former gaffer Warren Joyce have the reigns.  Ritchie had to make his debut in the Manchester Senior Cup clash with Stockport County on January 19th  but due to a waterlogged pitch the match was postponed.  So it was three days later that he made his debut in the Lancashire Senior Cup against Accrington with a 3-0 win alongside Fabio and Kiko Macheda, who already made his debut in the Premier League scoring important winners versus Aston Villa and Sunderland.  Ritchie, who played 18 times for our colours is now a regular in the starting line-up of the Manchester reserves and at Moss Lane on April 16th he scored his first goal for the Mancunians in a Barclays Reserves game vs Everton when he deflected Eikrem’s free-kick off the wall that was looping wide, until it met the run of the former Royal Antwerp player who adjusted brilliantly to cushion home a header.  One of his team-mates being a certain Lee Martin ( 19 games – 1 goal for RAFC in 2006).  Manchester reserves are flying high now and trail leaders Sunderland by just five points and are also qualified for the final of the Lancashire Senior Cup by thrashing Preston at Deepdale 4-0 with Ritchie having another 90’ under his belt!

PROFILE OPPONENT * RFC DOORNIK/TOURNAI

Saturday 18 April 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Jan Busschaert - Bernard Lepage - Michele Scatorchia

Good organisation from the staff, preparation, a fantastic work ethic, real hunger and a no-fear attitude are the strenghts of our next opponent.  Is this an honest assessment or typical bravado to disguise concern that Royal F.C. Tournai are gaining on the frontrunners to clinch a play-offs berth come May in the Exqi-league? Start as you mean to go on if you want to be in with a shout was the device of the Walloon based club, after only 5 games played they were in second position!  Also a famous cup-run was halted by R.S.C. Anderlecht not before 1900 “Sang et Or” fans had the time of their life in the Constant Vandenstockstadium.  At this moment Royal F.C. Tournai are in fifth position with 50 points out of a possible 99 only losing 9 times in the process.

With goalkeeper Martin, Belgian defenders Di Tullio and Guilmot gaffer Gerrit Laverge has experience in abundancce in the defensive area. With French defenders Zébre (3 goals), Duquesnoy (2 goals) and Mouissi (6 goals, 10 yellow cards) the manager has the most potent defensive force in the Exqi-league certainly if you count acquisition Maxime Annijs (4 goals)  as a defender.  All defenders are dangerous and this especially on set-pieces.  Also drilled in Laverge’s system are midfielders Seoudi, Olungu and dead-ball specialist Alexandre Frutos.  Up front a lot is expected from Sebastian Dorizon whose dribbling abilities and technical skills are a treat to watch.  While his usual strike partner Breleur ruled himself out by unsportsmanship behaviour after receiving a red card in a row with stewards it’s young forwards Cardon and Sekour to bolster our next opponents attack. 

Line-up vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Gueguin, H. Sekour, Delbeeke, Guilmot, Annijs, Mouissi, Frutos, Scarpino, Desire, Cardon (87’ R. Sekour), Dorizon.
Goals vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Dorizon (3 goals – 15 in total), Mouissi.

Founded : 2002
FA number : 26
Address : Rue du Follet – 7540 Kaïn
Stadium : Luc Varenne (7552)
Ticket Office : 069/59 07 84
Website : www.rfctournai.be
Main Sponsor : Dufour
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, red short, yellow socks
Budget : between 600 000 and 800 000 euro
Chairman : Philippe Rasseneur
Gaffer : Gerrit Laverge (°12/04/1952) – manager career : SV Waregem (1993-1998,assistant), KV Kortrijk (2000-2001), KSV Oudenaarde (2003-2004), KSK Ronse (2004-2005), KMSK Deinze (2006-2007), Royal F.C. Tournai (2008-first season in charge).

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT FOUR)

In his 150th Champions League game manager Sir Alex Ferguson ended Porto’s 22-game unbeaten run at home against British opposition. Fergie knew he had to win or get a high-scoring draw after the first leg ended 2-2 at Old Trafford, so he went with an adventurous line-up which at times looked like 4-2 -4 with Rooney and Giggs on the flanks and Berbatov and Ronaldo took up the central attacking roles. 

At Estadio do Dragao in front of a sell-out crowd of 50 000 spectators the World Player of the Year Christiano Ronaldo really looked as the shining star in the footballing universe when after only 6 minutes of play he struck a stunning goal from just shy of 40 yards into the top corner past a helpless Helton.  Needless to say that the 2 700 travelling Mancunians twirled their scarves above their heads and they saw United play with great discipline, rarely risking possession and restricting Porto to few attempts on goal. 

With Rio Ferdinand restored to the side there was an increased assuredness to the United backline and at the end of the first half our former player John O’Shea flicked on Giggs’s corner and the ball dropped invitingly to the unmarked Vidic,  the favourite to win the PFA player of the year award effort flew over the crossbar.  The home team without their gaffer Jesualdo Ferreira on the bench failed to create any clear-cut openings bar a stinging free-kick into Van der Sar’s grateful arms and a Lisandro’s 85th-minute chance. 

Once again, Ferguson’s strategy had been vindicated, particularly with an impressive Rooney delivering a prodigious shift on the right, tracking back to make tackles by United’s corner-flag as well as charging forward.  A win with the smallest margin was enough to progress to a semi-final with Arsenal, conquerors of Villareal.  This meant that United now have a 23 games unbeaten run in the Champions League but no time to party because they play Everton in an FA Cup semi-final on Sunday at Wembley, the venue of legends.

Other important news is that former Royal Antwerp player Jonny Evans (unused sub at Porto) is nominated for the PFA young player of the year award thus thinking at the famous words Warren Joyce once told us that there was no better player in the Belgian first and second division than the centre-halve playing in our colours, nowadays he’s a reliable sub when Vidic or Ferdinand are rested or injured.  Well done Jonny, and on behalf of the Royal Antwerp family good luck, we’ll hope you succeed Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas as the country’s top youngster.

SPENCER MISSES NEXT GAME

l e a g u e   y e l l o w

7:Ray Fränkel (01.04.'09).

5:Zarko Jelicic (21.02.'09 + 07.03.'09), Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09 + 01.04.'09).

4:Ivan Vukomanovic (01.03.'09), Ransford Addo (04.04.'09), Darko Pivaljevic (12.04.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke, Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09 + 12.04.'09).

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 18.02.'09), Manu Kenmogne (25.03.'09 + 04.04.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08).

UR NAMUR - ROYAL ANTWERP

When needed the support is there, another 700 set off for Namen with high hopes. They are early and so able to cheer on the team as they warm up. Trenson is fit and playing, Verbiest is in for Fränkel, otherwise the side is as before for this important match. Read our report and know all about it.

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-FIVE

They say football is a game of opinions, but there were few travelling Royal Antwerp fans who would have predicted the sudden revival of ‘King Darko’ after receiving a yellow card for a hefty challenge on him in the first half.  As a mainstay of Ratko Svilar’s set-up and one of the more passionate and consistent performers in a Royal Antwerp side under severe financial strain, Pivaljevic had become something of a flag bearer for the supporters.  If there was a rallying call to be made, his name was invariably heard in the media and as one of the more senior players in an ever-diminishing side, he led by example and scored a brace at Union Royale Namur giving us our highest ranking in a long time, third spot in the Exqi-league!

In a direct confrontation at the Lisp K.S.K. Beveren was from the start on their toes and were in the lead twice through Martens and Mulisa but K. Lierse S.K. came back and sealed the win thanks to their leading goal scorer Cavens, who did bend a free-kick from the edge of the area directly in goal and was in the dying minutes the author of the decisive goal in front of  7 100 spectators.  So, with his 21st goal of the season  Jurgen held on to keep the pressure on leaders K. St.- Truidense V.V. who brushed play-offs candidates K.S.K. Ronse aside at their own ground, goalkeeper Mignolet even taking a spotkick versus his opposite colleague and netting in two times. With 3 games to go and 5 points ahead, it’s for S.T.V.V. to lose the title!

With his three goals Frenchman Sébastien Dorizon brought his Royal F.C. Tournai team victory in their home tie against K.F.C. V.W. Hamme which set up a kind of  final at the Bosuil on Saturday when third (RAFC) meet fifth (RFCT) in the Exqi-league.

PROFILE OPPONENT * UNION ROYALE NAMUR

Sunday 12 April 2009 - 3 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Yuri Cosco - Dimitri Godart - Michael Keyen

The club from the eccentric and controversial chairman Baudart released influential players such as defender Tshiala, utility man and captain Regnier and strikers Sbaa, Copel and Nelis in the two transfer windows. When the most prized assets assets leave the club it’s not always possible to find replacements from the same calibre.  Amid all the doom and gloom it is easy to forget Union Royale Namur do actually have several good players in their squad.  For instance former Royal Antwerp player Bukran is the leading figure on and off the pitch now that Regnier left the club and together with French striker Benayem the only player in the team who’s capable of putting away a chance. 

The weakness of URN is that they need to give their erratic goalkeepers Lahaye, Van Grootenbrul and Lienhart more protection because in the ongoing season they made numerous saves behind a rather porous back line and conceded already 81 goals.  After a reasonable start “Les Sang et Or” lost their way, sacked their manager Hidalgo and were helpless and hapless as they totted one of the worst home and away records in the Exqi-league.  URN won just twice in 32 outings and even the new experienced gaffer Georges Heylens couldn’t find a remedy against their poor passing record especially from defense into midfield which contributed to their downfall, an accuracy rate of less than 50% the main reason for their relegation to the Belgian third division.

Georges Heylens, the former football player who played with R.S.C. Anderlecht and the Belgian national team as an attacking right-back got 67 caps on his tally and should be known because he played in all three games at the Mexico World Cup in 1970 will give some youngsters the chance to shine at Exqi-league level.  He’s now the gaffer of the league’s whipping boys and does also appear as a football consultant in papers, TV and gambling sites.

Line-up vs Royal FC de Liège : Lienhart, Boukamir, Mobitang (70’ Langueh), Klee, Boreux, Crotteux (73’ Bukran), Soumaré, Gursever (78’ Sias), Loulounga, Antoine, Mbiyobiyo.

Founded : 1905
FA number : 156
Address : Place Rijckmans 26 – 5000 Namur
Stadium : Bas Près (3 500)
Ticket Office : 081/22 56 25
Website : www.urnamur.be
Main Sponsor : Groupe Picard
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, black short, yellow socks
Budget : 700 000 euro
Chairman : Jean-Claude Baudart
Gaffer : Georges Heylens (° 08/08/1941) – manager career : Union Sint-Gillis (1973-1975), KV Kortrijk (1975-1977), Eendracht Aalst (1978-1983), RFC Seraing (1983-1984, manager of the season!), Lille OSC (Fra, 1984-1989), Beerschot VAV (1989-1990), Sporting Charleroi (1990-1992), RFC Seraing (1993-1995), Genclerbirligi (Tur, 1995-1996), KV Mechelen (1996-1997), Royal Army (1997-2001), FC Athois (2001-2003), Leopold Ukkel-Vorst (2003-2004), Union Royale Namur (from 12/2008-…)

SEVEN HAVE TO FEAR SUSPENSION

l e a g u e   y e l l o w 

7:Ray Fränkel (01.04.'09).

5:Zarko Jelicic (21.02.'09 + 07.03.'09), Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09 + (01.04.'09).

4:Ivan Vukomanovic (01.03.'09), Ransford Addo (04.04.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke, Darko Pivaljevic.

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 18.02.'09), Manu Kenmogne (25.03.'09 + 04.04.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08).

Remark: name in bold = suspension next game.

ROYAL ANTWERP - KV OOSTENDE

Royal Antwerp for once can field a full strength side, with Kenmogne and Pivaljevic starting, and the ‘heavies’ in midfield, Gbarssin, Setti and Slovic. Read how they did...

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-FOUR

Caretaker boss Ratko Svilar learned a lesson from the stalemate at Red Star Waasland where far too many lads played below par and ordered no gentleman approach but aggressive defending without injuring anyone.  Against K.V. Ostend our tactical set up with Setti, Gbarssin and Slovic bossing the midfield was a conscious decision, we never came under pressure too much and opted to play football based on good organisation.  Further we witnessed one goal for Gbarssin (direct free-kick from 40 yards) and another for Setti (a Beckham-esque lob from 30 yards) where superlatives are insufficiënt.  Got to see this two spectacular goals on RAFC.TV giving us breathing space in the hunt for the play-offs! Royal Antwerp are occupying fourth spot in the Exqi-league with 3 points less than the Seasiders with even one game in hand!

Also on Saturday evening K. Lierse S.K. drew 2-2 away to lowly R. Excelsior Virton where Lierse’s top scorer Cavens saw his penalty saved by fourth-choice goalkeeper Hurbain, ref Saadouni judged that the keeper had moved from his line, and asked that it be retaken.  The former Germinal Beerschot chose the same corner, unfortunately so did Hurbain and the Exqi-league champions race is now for K. St.- Truidense V.V. to lose, STVV later won 1-0 at home to KV Red Star Waasland to increase their lead at the top to 5 points and this with a well taken spot-kick from Chimedza.

Another direct confrontation between play-offs candidates at the Freethiel where K.S.K. Beveren and K.S.K. Ronse entertain each other and the home side 0-3 behind through sloppy defending after only 13 minutes, despite a brace from Mulisa the second consecutive home defeat for Alex Czerniatynski’s men!

K.M.S.K. Deinze did themselves no harm by defeating R.O.C. de Charleroi in their own backyard to ease relegation worries, despite the usual clumsy defending from our former player Elejiko, Declercq sealed the win from the penalty-spot.

ROYAL ANTWERP - KV OOSTENDE

Saturday 4 April 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Peter Vervecken - Cedric Waroux - Chris Schelstraete

After years of being saddled with mediocre strikers our next opponent have Grandisson (9 goals), Mokulu and Laleman (both 8 goals), Sankaré (7 goals) in their ranks making them the fourth potent attacking force in the Exqi-league with already 53 goals made.  Last term the Seasiders drew criticism for the uninspiring way in which they won many of their games, thus prompting the signings of Frenchman Grandisson and Mokulu to bolster their attack to help them win with more style.  Now that another French striker Marc-Eric Guei (7 goals) opted to play in the Greek Second Division it’s good news for Ostend that in Laleman they have a valid replacement. 

All the attacking wealth also mean K.V. Ostend do open up as expected, more pressure could be put by opposite sides on their defense. At the beginning of the season, gaffer Jean-Pierre Vande Velde has drafted in new defensive recruits Sankaré and De Wulf, but current gaffer Thierry Pister already noticed that K.V. Ostend are often looking decidedly fragile and easy to breach, the back four remains to flat-footed to cope with the Exqi-league best strikers.  With already 44 goals conceded they have the worst defensive record bar one of the upper echelon of the Belgian Second Division.  With Meyssen and Stassin leaving the club last summer, the new midfield with Frenchman Chendri, Sucaet, Vandendriessche is good material but one midfielder stands out in the last couple of weeks by scoring important and beautiful goals namely the Brasilian Rudison Nogueira Ferreira.

Slight injury doubts for Saturdays encounter are Sucaet, Mokulu and Dindeleux.

Line-up vs R.O.C. de Charleroi M. : Van Ryckeghem, Liard, De Wulf, Sankaré, Luissint, Vandendriessche (46’ Chendri), Wallaeys (46’ Iribarren), Pecqueux, Ferreira, Grandisson (65’ Vandenberghe), Laleman.
Goals vs R.O.C. de Charleroi M. : Sankaré and Ferreira.
Attendance : 1650

Founded : 1981
FA number : 31
Address : Leopold Van Tyghemlaan 62 – 8400 Ostend
Stadium : Albertpark (8 000)
Ticket Office : 059/70 36 10
Website : www.kvo.be
Main Sponsor : Versluys (building company)
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, red short, green socks
Budget : between 1 650 000 euro and 2 500 000 euro
Chairman : Yves Lejaeghere
Gaffer : Thierry Pister (first month in charge)

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-THREE

We are approaching the crucial stage in the Exqi-league and the title race between K. St.-Truidense V.V. and K. Lierse S.K. is not fully battled out yet.  The former had to thank their outstanding goalkeeper Mignolet to seal a hard-fought win at local rivals KVSK United in front of a record crowd of 5 000 spectators at the Gestelsedijk, Sidibe the author of the winning goal.  K. Lierse S.K. on Wednesday night beat K.S.K. Ronse easily with a brace from Cavens and a third goal  from their Egyptian player Wahed.

So, status quo at the top but what about the play-offs places with 8 teams fighting it out for the 3 remaining spots. We noticed that K.V. Ostend are a safe bet with 52 points, our next opponents under stewardship from our former player Pister  increased their advantage to 4 points at  fourth-placed K.V.K. Tienen, the other teams are also in striking distance. In the direct confrontation of the round KV Red Star Waasland and Royal Antwerp Football Club shared the points, in a rather tame encounter the most spectacular phase was situated between minutes 51 and 53 where both netted a goal, for our colours the first competition goal of Roel van Hemert!

The result of this round came from K.A.S. Eupen who brushed a lacklustre K.S.K. Beveren aside with two goals each from Lepiller, Molnar and Mombongo to give their side renewed hope to avoid relegation.  With Mombongo and Molnar having double digits in the goalscorer ranking it will be a big ask for K.F.C. V.W. Hamme, Royal Excelsior Virton and K.M.S.K. Deinze to leapfrog K.A.S. Eupen in the forthcoming weeks.

Further to mention are the exploits of our former Argentine cult hero Luciano Olguin, who scored a consolation goal for his decimated KSK Beveren side, but Luciano also had to walk to the tunnel again after receiving two yellow cards.  And, the Exqi-league can announce that whipping boys Union Royale Namur are mathematically relegated, experienced gaffer Heylens will give some young, dynamic prospects the chance to shine for the remainder of the season!

WEDNESDAY TOTALS TWO YELLOW CARDS

7:Ray Fränkel (01.04.'09).

5:Zarko Jelicic (21.02.'09 + 07.03.'09), Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09 + (01.04.'09).

4:Ivan Vukomanovic (01.03.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ransford Addo, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke, Darko Pivaljevic.

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 18.02.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08), Manu Kenmogne (25.02.'09).

Remark: name in bold = suspension next game.

PROFILE OPPONENT * KV RED STAR WAASLAND

Wednesday 1 April 2009 - 8.30 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Frederik Geldhof - Robby Keuleers - Barry Barri

Gaffer Bart De Roover is already a good manager, he isn’t far off completing a side in his own image – extremely competitive and capable of producing explosively attractive football. With already 41 goals conceded KV Red Star Waasland doesn’t have a solid defence, Frenchman Julien Tournut has little to apologise for, but Serbest, Van Hoey and even Jan Masureel were beaten too easily, too often this Exqi-league season.  In contrast a midfield consisting of Van Geele, Van Geem, Neve and Frenchman El Khanchaf can prise open most defences. In attack Hervé Ndjana Onana broke double figures last term and with 22 goals on his tally in the ongoing season he’s the favourite to finish top of the goalscoring charts on the final day of the season.

If the Cameroon striker can stay fit there’s a possibility KV Red Star Waasland can finish in the upper echelon of the Exqi-league and with a tactically astute manager and brilliant motivator as De Roover can focus on getting in the play-offs places.  The biggest change with last term is that the new gaffer directly took control and stated his aim of reducing the average age of the squad , older players such as Hofman and Bouckenooghe have been superseded by longer –term planning.  This non-televised clash will have a major influence in the struggle for a play-offs ticket and  Waasland’s boardmembers expect a decent crowd at Puyenbeke this Wednesday!

Line-up vs K.S.K. Ronse : Kempeneer (46’ Verhulst), Masureel, Serbest, Tournut, Van Hoey, Bou-Sfia, Neve, Soares (85’ Bourabia), Mathyssen, Van Geem, Onana.
Goals vs K.S.K. Ronse : Van Geem, Onana and Tournut.

Founded : 1936
FA number : 4068
Address : Watermolenstraat 104 – 9100 Sint-Niklaas
Stadium : Puyenbeke/Robert Waterschoot (5 982)
Ticket Office : 03/776 32 00
Website : www.rswaasland.be
Main Sponsor : Avia, Vedior, Niko
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, red short and yellow socks
Budget : between 1,5 million euro and 1,6 million euro
Chairman : Melchior Roossens
Gaffer : Bart De Roover (°21/08/1967) – manager career : KFC Wuustwezel (2001-2003), Cappellen FC (2003-2008), KV Red Star Waasland (first season in charge).

NO SUSPENSIONS ON WEDNESDAY

ROYAL ANTWERP - RFC DE LIÈGE

The visitors bring strong support to De Bosuil, hoping that the team coached by ex-Royal Antwerp favourite Quaranta will put in a good performance. Godfroid and Ribus kick-off yet another important match for Royal Antwerp. A much changed team, for tactical reasons as well as people missing due to suspension. Vervaeke moves to full back, Van Hemert moves over in place of the suspended Trenson, Fränkel for Verbiest. Setti lines up as defensive midfielder. Coulibaly lines up alongside Pivaljevic in attack. Did it help to win against Rapha. Quaranta and his team? Read our match report.

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-TWO

With the World Cup Qualifiers round the corner to soften the blow it is remarkable that our prospects become even brighter after a stalemate against draw specialists Royal FC de Liège at the Bosuilstadium. With 6 games to play we are currently in fifth position in the Exqi-league and if we can hold this a play-offs berth is ours!  Some unlucky decision making in the offensive part of our team together with a Liège’s goalkeeper at his peak – who normally has the whiff of liability around him -  prevented us to take maximum points out of this fixture.  Our opponent on the day wasn’t afflicted with a relegation mentality as some teams seem to do when they reach the symbolic 40-point mark and then switch off, much to the delight of the 500 rather noisy fans from Belgian FA number 4!

This is our year and our title to be won in this exciting Exqi-league campaign 2008-2009 is the thought of fans and players of K. St.-Truidense V.V. and K. Lierse S.K. before their clash at Staaien in front of a capacity crowd of 10 000!  Well, the visitors won undeservedly with the smallest margin thanks to a Wahed goal in the latter stages of the game.  Lierse has now a deficit of just 3 points to overhaul as both teams roar into their last remaining fixtures of an enthralling battle to be crowned champions come May!

The result of this round was undoubtedly the win of KVSK United at the Freethiel where Dufour and our former player Pereira both scored with Beckham-esque lobs to give K.S.K. Beveren their first home defeat of the season and to set up a mouthwatering tie vs STVV next Wednesday with more than local bragging rights at stake.

Our next opponents KV Red Star Waasland won at K.S.K. Ronse the direct confrontation for the play-offs with Frenchman Tournut heading the decisive goal past Cottier and has one point less than Royal Antwerp but also one game in hand.

ROYAL ANTWERP - KFC VW HAMME

With 8 matches to go and 3 points separating Royal Antwerp and 5th place there is plenty of pressure on players, coach and the club to perform. There are two home games this week and so a win against KFC VW Hamme would set things up nicely. Seeing Patrick Goots kick off brought back memories for the fans of what used to be. Read our match report and see if it was big fun for our former player.

PROFILE OPPONENT * RFC DE LIEGE

On a Tuesday in September 1989 our former player Raphaël Quaranta had his finest memory at the Bosuilstadium by netting the decisive goal against Vitosha Levski Sofia.

Almost 20 years later he’s the gaffer of our next opponent. Last term RFC de Liège didn’t fare too badly with injuries and that contributed to their success as they could maintain a settled side. The bulk of the side remained the same and the familiarity, allied with the greater squad helped the Walloon based club to make a good start. They were in fourth position after 5 games played but being momentarely in eleventh position with 40 points out of 30 games condemn them to pick up points especially at 'home' games!  But having no stadium of their own RFC de Liège need to play at Ans, Verviers, Tilleur and hopefully for the remainder of the season at Le Pairay at Seraing! Remarkable is that the battle isn’t always held on the pitch but also in political and business surroundings to give the second team in Liège a new home.

The most important players of the 5-time Belgian Champions are defender Gomez, experienced midfielders Buvens and Kinet delivering the crosses for the Legros brothers.  Another one to watch is 23-year old midfielder Van den Brandt.

Let’s give a special mention to ex-Milwall and Germinal Ekeren star Kinet, a left-midfield player who puts f.i. ‘Psycho’ Stuart Pierce to shame because this Belgian hardman picked up an eye-watering number of red and yellow cards in the current Exqi-league.  So, earning him Belgium worst disciplinary record of all time doesn’t bother him although Liège’s experienced skipper has been well-acquainted with that long walk to the tunnel – not to mention opponents’ body parts.  Let’s hope that our players won’t pull out of challenges for the ball because of this skillful football player with an image of a winner but also with one who does one or two reckless things each game!

The clash between this two tradition-laden clubs on Wednesday will be played without Thijs and Aktan for the visiting side due to suspension. Needless to say that a 500+ contingent of Walloon fans are expected for this mouthwatering tie!

Line-up vs R.O.C. de Charleroi M. : Govoni, Lacroix, Gomez, Aktan, Canalé (66’ Buvens), Thijs, Maréchal (66’ El Khadri), JS Legros, Kinet, Öcal, G. Legros (90’ Van Houdt).
Goal vs R.O.C. : G. Legros.

Founded: 1892
FA number : 4
Address : Rue de la Boverie 255 – 4100 Seraing
Stadium : Le Pairay
Website : www.rfcl.be
Main Sponsor : V.O.O.
Kit Colours : red and blue shirt, blue short, blue socks
Budget : Between 850 000 and 1 million euro
Chairman : Jules Dethier
Gaffer : Raphaël Quaranta (° 29/12/1957) – manager career : Club Luik (1994-1995), Tilleur (1997-1999), Wezet (1999-2000), K.A.S. Eupen (2000), Sprimont (2000-2001), Club Luik (from 2005)
Honours : Belgian Champions in 1896,1898,1899,1952 and 1953 Belgian Cup in 1990, runner-up in 1987

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY-ONE

One thing’s certain.  With two teams facing direct promotion glory, six facing relegation heartache, eight more left with play-off what-ifs and the rest probably breathing a huge sigh of relief, the remainder of the Exqi-league season will be anything but boring.  It’s a fact that the Exqi-league is becoming increasingly difficult to forecast.  While the momentum of promotion and the relegation hangover will always have some part to play, unpredictability has become the hallmark of the Belgian Second Division, which points to another exciting campaign in 2008-2009.  For instance how can you explain the results of the two frontrunners this round, leader K. St.-Truidense V.V. only drawing at lowly K.M.S.K. Deinze and promotion hopefuls K. Lierse S.K. even losing at KVSK United whereby our former player Harald Pinxten was stretchered off with a broken collar bone after only 8 minutes of play!

You would expect Royal Antwerp Football Club to be targeting a play-off place at the very least, along with a host of former First Division teams such as FC M Brussels S., KV Ostend and K.S.K. Beveren and the sixteenth goal of Emmanuel Kenmogne gave us victory in the home tie vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme whose stubborn opposition made our beloved colours use too much route-one stuff.  With this win we’re now reaching the dizzy heights of 8th position in the league table.  Unlucky for us referee Breda had his moments of madness by sending off two Royal Antwerp players in the dying minutes for a correct tackle of Matthias Trenson.

Our next opponents Royal FC de Liège bounced back after a poor run of results lately by beating Walloon neighbours R.O.C. de Charleroi thanks to a late goal from G. Legros and are now safe of relegation worries.

R ANTWERP FC - RFC DE LIÈGE

Wednesday 25 March 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Yves Muyle - Yves De Neve - Erik Waegemans

MATTHIAS & SPENCER SUSPENDED

PROFILE K.F.C. V.W. HAMME

Saturday 21 March 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Stéphane Breda - Frank Bleyen - Guy Evens

A lesson from last season is that continued success can result in your most prized assets moving on. Losing manager Fuat Capa and highly rated strikers De Ridder and Mulisa in the close season was a huge blow for our next opponents but it could be argued that the club was punching above its weight last term. Before the winter break the board decided to replace manager Peter Van Wambeke, the incoming gaffer Bart Mauroo, a former Mechelen and Waregemplayer who’s got his coaching badges and was already very successful in the lower leagues with Izegem and Ghent-Zeehaven (both Division Four sides – League Two).

Nowadays, with the new gaffer in charge K.F.C. V.W. Hamme are currently in 16th position with a meagre 28 points out of a possible 84!  It is interesting to see how the squad cope mentally should they suffer a run of poor results until the end of the season – unknown territory for many of this side!  But on the evidence of last week performance they proved to have resilience in abundance.  On home soil they brushed Royal FC de Liège aside with 4-0 making it an aggregate 7-2 score over the two legs meaning that if K.F.C. V.W. Hamme play at Exqi-league level next season the  squad of Raphaël Quaranta will receive a ‘thank you’ telegram.  Saturday’s clash at the Bosuil is coming to soon for creative midfielders De Meyer and Hermans (both injured) but Vleminckx and Verhoeven don’t need motivation because of them having a past at Royal Antwerp’s fiercest rivals, Germinal Beerschot. In a very spectacular game our beloved colours won at K.F.C. V.W. Hamme before the winter break but the vulnerable defensive area of the team has been strengthened with the acquisition of De Winne.

Line-up vs Royal FC de Liège : Baert, De Smet, Vleminckx, De Winne, Kestens, Van Der Heyden, Van Hyfte, Verheyden, Vandermarliere, Verhoeven (79’ Quintelier), D’Haeseleer (73’ De Lange).
Goals vs Royal FC de Liège : D’Haeseleer (2), De Smet and Verhoeven.

Founded : 1908
FA number : 211
Address : Sportpleinstraat 11 – 9200 Hamme
Stadium : Municipal Stadium (4 324)
Ticket Office : 052/47 72 09
Website : www.vwhamme.be
Main Sponsor : Blyweert Aluminium
Kit Colours : blue shirt, black short, blue socks
Budget : 900 000 euro
Gaffer : Bart Mauroo

SUMMARY DAY THIRTY

It might seem difficult without years of experience or the necessary coaching badges, but in fact there are basic drills that any Exqi-league side can use in their own training regimes to help improve their defensive shape and attacking play. Caretaker boss Ratko Svilar knows exactly the type of exercises that can have the biggest influence to prepare for the next 2 home fixtures against K.F.C. V.W. Hamme and Royal FC de Liège where 6 points are necessary in the race for a play-offs ticket. Ratko is quick to point out the fact that effective, solid tactics don’t always need brilliant minds and hi-tech analysis but inspired substitutions, eventual changes in formations and subtle shifts in the point of attack made by the gaffer can have a huge impact on results.  For the moment and due to a ‘bye’ this round we’re lying in tenth position and need a winning streak to compete for play-offs berths come May.

Frontrunners K. St.-Truidense V.V. and K. Lierse S.K. won their home tie with relative ease, the former against K.A.S. Eupen thanks to a brace from Wilmet and the seventeenth goal of the season from Sidibe, the latter versus Red Star Waasland via goals from De Witte and Radzinski.  It has to be said that the visitors played without their topstriker Onana and that due to a rapid succession of heavy fouls Van Geele went in for half-time rather earlier than his teammates.  It was the first time in five games that K. Lierse S.K. have kept a clean sheet and they have also won 11 of the last 12 home games.

In the battle for play-offs tickets the winners of the weekend were K.V. Ostend who sealed a win in the dying seconds against their former manager at OH Leuven and K.V.K. Tienen whose win at Royal Excelsior Virton gave them a sixth position in the Exqi-league table. A direct confrontation in the capital between FC M Brussels S. and Royal F.C. Tournai ended in a stalemate whereby our former number two goalkeeper Izgi kept his team alive by saving a spot-kick.

Our next two opponents played each other and home side K.F.C. V.W. Hamme brushed Royal FC de Liège aside with an enthralling win and leapfrog two other relegation candidates. Let’s hope that our caretaker boss did note the performances from De Smet, D’Haeseleer, Verhoeven and others otherwise next Saturday’s game will be beyond our reach.

RAY MISSES NEXT GAME

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT THREE)

Jose Mourinho had said returning to Old Trafford felt like going back home.  In his dreams, this was going to be the evening when he made an irresistible audition to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s eventual successor but the Special One left to ponder an uncertain future  when Sir Alex emerged victorious in the showdown at Old Trafford in front of  74,769 spectators.  Although the Inter Milan gaffer had shown “50 DVDs” in an attempt to familiarise his players with United’s threat from set-pieces former Arsenal legend Vieira simply lost track of Nemanja Vidic, whose bullet header drifted past Julio César from Ryan Giggs’s corner after only 4 minutes.  And yet, instead of setting the early nerves United may have been experiencing, the Champions League holders failed to build on this goal and barely survived a harrowing spell from Inter.  After 28’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic stole in on the end of Maicon’s free-kick only to send a downward header against the post with Edwin van der Sar beaten.  Nine minutes later our former player John O’Shea was sent clear in the area by Rooney’s instant pass but outstanding goalkeeper Julio Cesar raced from his line to make the block and prevent United to almost grab that crucial second goal.  At the start of the second half Mourinho attempted to inject fresh impetus with Muntari for the pedestrian Vieira but after just 3’ Rooney’s cross was powered home by Ronaldo past the helpless Cesar.  Inter brought Adriano in what amounted to a final throw of the dice but further than a volley against the post the burly striker didn’t come.  United were being offered more space but Rooney and Bulgarian striker Berbatov couldn’t capitalize.  When on the terraces the United supporters took the opportunity to pour derision on Mourinho with taunts as “You’re not special any more” and “Bye Bye Mourinho” Sir Alex and United continue their march on Rome in their bid for an historic haul of five trophies.

Draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, on March 20.  There are no seeds or requirement to keep teams from the same country apart.  So, with the utmost reluctance, Mourinho, the Inter manager, must pass that challenge onto his old adversary Rafael Benitez, who takes his Liverpool team to the Theatre of Dreams in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday in the hope of thwarting United’s pursuit of glory on all fronts whereby also Jonny Evans and Darren Gibson will have a place on United’s roster.

ROYAL ANTWERP - OH LEUVEN

Roel van Hemert finally has the opportunity to put one over new Leuven coach Vande Velde, having missed the chance to do so against KV Oostende. Ratko Svilar has to make some important decisions, he needs to be more adventurous at home, whilst missing Setti and Gbarssin. To no one’s surprise Kevin Baert gets the nod instead of Spencer Verbiest, Darko Pivaljevic is back after suspension and back problems and Emmerik De Vriese gets the nod ahead of Adamo Coulibaly who is on the bench with Bas Vervaeke, Slobodan Slovic and Vincent Van Trier.

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-NINE

English fans might moan about the domination of the Premier League’s big four, but across the Channel in the Belgian second division there’s nothing more the Exqi-league authorities and TV paymasters would like better than a big four of their own. And with FC M Brussels S., K.S.K. Beveren, Royal Antwerp Football Club and Royal FC de Liège they have four so-called big clubs with big fanbases but their chronic instability has ensured that neither of them pose a threat for the frontrunners K. St.-Truidense V.V. and K. Lierse S.K.

K. Lierse S.K. suffered one lapse of concentration but sealed a win via their deadly strikers’ partnership Cavens (18th goal of the season) and ex-Everton and Fulham striker Radzinski (12th goal of the season) while STVV won at Royal F.C. Tournai so the deficit remains five points.

In the race for play-offs tickets the most important game was played in Ostend where the local pride only drew level in the 95’ via a set-piece from Grandisson and K.S.K. Beveren saw Luciano Olguin redcarded for elbowing an opponent. On both benches two familiar faces with former Royal Antwerp players Pister and Czerniatynski as gaffers for their sides.

The no-nonsense Jean-Pierre Vande Velde underlined his credentials with a well-earned stalemate at the Bosuil, JPV instilled a new regime and discipline and a mid-table finish should match the ambitions for this season at O.H. Leuven, while our colours lie currently in eight position with two successive home fixtures to come.

In the relegation battle it looks like K.A.S. Eupen and R. Excelsior Virton will escape, both won their game with the smallest margin and our next opponents in a fortnight K.F.C.  V.W. Hamme could pay the price for losing at local rivals KV Red Star Waasland whose Cameroon striker Onana netted his 21st goal of the season!

PROFILE OPPONENT * O.H. LEUVEN

Starting the season with Rudi Cossey on the helm of our next opponents a mediocre start of the season soon saw Marc Wuyts taking over in autumn. But being in 12th position in the Exqi-league isn’t the ultimate wish of the commercial and political bosses OHL always can rely on meaning last Wednesday evening a third manager for this season was installed, a man who knows the club inside out, the man who made almost all his previous teams into title-winners, Jean-Pierre Vande Velde!  The new gaffer signed a contract until June 2011 and after dealing with relegation worries this season building for an Exqi-league winning formation next year will be the most important target for JPV!

Former FCV Dender coach J.-P. Vande Velde is back at Bosuil Stadium defending the colours of OH Leuven

Although OHL saw goalscoring midfielder Matton leave to play in the Jupiler League with Zulte Waregem the backbone of the team still comprises reliable goalkeeper Ruttens, defenders Odoi and Lahousse, midfielder Vanderbiest and Jarakovic and robust striker Ruytinx. With some reinforcements in the Summer transfer window Jean-Pierre Vande Velde will make from this already decent side title-contenders.

Line-up vs Royal FC de Liège : Ruttens, Odoi, Lahousse, Vastmans, Jarakovic, Vanderbiest, Schoonjans (84’ Servaes), Schouterden (62’ Zahiri), Bossekota, Themelin, Eboigbe.
Goal vs Royal FC de Liège : Eboigbe – Attendance : 2000

Founded : 2002
FA number : 6142
Address : ‘Den Dreef’ – Kardinaal Mercierlaan 46 – 3001 Heverlee
Stadium : Den Dreef (12 000)
Ticket Office : 016/22 85 08
Website : www.ohl.be
Kit Colours : white shirt, white short, white socks
Main Sponsor : Option
Budget : between 1,5 million and 2,1 million euro
Chairman : Henri Kumps
Gaffer : Jean-Pierre Vande Velde (°10/09/1955) – manager career : Lombeek (1983-1986), CS Vorst (1986-1987), K.V.K. Tienen (1987-1990), Anderlecht (1990-1992 assistant), Eendracht Aalst (1992-1993), K.V.K. Tienen (1993-1995), St. Wetteren (1995-1997), Standard (1997-1998 assistant), Strombeek (1988-1999), Oud-Heverlee (1999-2002), OHL (2002-2004), FC Denderleeuw (2004-01/2005), K.V.K. Tienen (01/2005-05/2005), FCV Dender EH (2005-11/2007), Sint-Niklaas (01/2008-04/2008), KV Ostend (07/2008-03/2009), Oud-Heverlee Leuven (03/2009-?)

ROC CHARLEROI - ROYAL ANTWERP

Royal Antwerp visited Walloon based ROC de Charleroi-Marchienne last weekend. Both sides were in desperate need of points but both clubs were even more keen on ending controversy after the game between Royal Antwerp and R Exc. Virton. Read our match report.

DARKO IS BACK AFTER YELLOW REST

5:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08 + 18.02.'09).

4:Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09), Zarko Jelicic (21.02.'09), Ivan Vukomanovic (01.03.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ransford Addo, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke, Darko Pivaljevic.

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 18.02.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08).

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-EIGHT

Both frontrunners in the Exqi-league won their home fixture with relative ease, K. St.-Truidense V.V. hammered K.V.K. Tienen with 5-1 while K.Lierse S.K. had no mercy with K.A.S. Eupen, Cavens netting a brace in a 4-1 win so no change at the top of the table, K. Lierse S.K. remain 5 points behind leaders STVV.

In the battle for play-offs berths there was one very important game at the Freethiel where home team K.S.K. Beveren bounce back after two consecutive defeats and won by the smallest margin.  It was Luciano Olguin who found the net heading home a cross from Martens in the 38’ against direct opponent Royal F.C. Tournai.  Olguin’s team is catching up and trail fifth placed K.V. Ostend by just one point and next week both play-offs rivals meet each other at the Belgian Coast.

Royal Antwerp Football Club don’t concede a lot of goals of late but scoring seems to be so difficult especially without the skill and inspiration of Pivaljevic. Due to this stalemate at La Neuville against R.O.C. de Charleroi we lie in eight position but a higher position is still possible because three successive home games await the ‘Great Old’.

In the other games K.M.S.K. Deinze sealed a surprise victory at highly rated K.S.K. Ronse and our next opponents OH Leuven sacked their manager Marc Wuyts after a disappointing home loss versus Raphaël Ouaranta’s team, Royal FC de Liège!

GLORY GLORY MANCHESTER UNITED (PT TWO)

Royal Antwerp wish to congratulate Manchester United who completed phase two of their bid to secure an historic haul of five major trophies in a season as they beat Spurs on spot-kicks in the Carling Cup final in front of 88,217 spectators at Wembley Stadium.  In a decent encounter both goalkeepers distinguished themselves with some superb saves and Ronaldo was unfortunate not been rewarded with a spot-kick as he tumbled in a collision with Spurs captain King just inside the area – a desperately close call decision by Merseyside referee Chris Foy.

Extra-time it was and as fatigue sent in among both sets of players (Ryan Giggs replaced an impressive Darren Gibson), it was going to take a mistake or a moment of inspiration to decide the destiny of the cup in the closing stages. Both teams couldn’t break the deadlock and it went to penalties.  Unsung hero Ben Foster became the Carling Cup final hero by saving Tottenham’s first spot-kick from O’Hara in the shootout.  When Foster saw Bentley crack wide Tottenham’s third spot-kick  it was United who netted all four of their kicks confidently into the corner through Giggs, Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson and were celebrating another shiny pot for their packed trophy cabinet.

Sir Alex Ferguson kept to his promise to maintain faith in his former Royal Antwerp youngsters Gibson and Evans and also O’Shea played for 76’ so we come to the conclusion that their time at the Bosuil wasn’t a waste of time!

Line-up : Foster, O’Shea (Vidic 76), Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes, Gibson (Giggs 91), Nani, Tevez, Welbeck (Anderson 56).

PROFILE OPPONENT * ROYAL OLYMPIC CLUB DE CHARLEROI MARCHIENNE

Most football managers have always agreed that the best form of defence is attack.  Gaffer Yves Soudan who replaced Danny Ost in autumn does buy that theory because he knows that when the ball is kept away from erratic goalkeeper Delferrière, R.O.C. just have to be patient, because sooner or later they will score.  It’s a simple philosophy and quite correct because stats fans may like to know that the average of more than 2 goals conceded per game is on course to be the worst bar one in the current Exqi-league.  But in the last two games their rather dodgy defence didn’t concede against topstrikers such as Sidibe and Onana.  The old servant Stilmant and new January signing from Jupiler league strugglers AFC Tubize Paternotte are finally bringing some stability in what once was a leaky defence.  While in midfield Steens, Alibhai and Leurquin are solid it is up front that the loss of Ivorian striker Banga and Frenchman Saintini goalscoring capabilities have halted the club’s ambitions to reach a higher position in the ranking.  In the current situation the goals have to come from Nadir Sbaa, Jerkovic and ‘good old’ Toni Brogno.  A special mention for Belgian clubhopper Sbaa whose finishing abilities are second to none because he is a master in using and creating the space left by his opponents.  Nadir is the best incoming Summer transfer R.O.C. has made and with already 10 goals on his tally good value for money!

Line-up vs KV Red Star Waasland : Delferrière, Malacort, Stilmant, Paternotte, Diawara (46’ Nieus), Gailly (77’ Charlier), Alibhai, Steens, Leurquin, Brogno (85’ Tokpa), Jerkovic.
Goal vs KV Red Star Waasland : Leurquin

Founded : 1912
FA number : 246
Address : Rue Neuve 75A – 6061 Montignies-sur-Sambre
Stadium : La Neuville (11 600)
Ticket Office : 071/32 17 66
Website : www.roccm.be
Main Sponsor : Match
Kit Colours : white/black/red shirt, black short, black/white socks
Budget : between 800 000 euro and 1 million euro
Chairman : Daniël Vegis
Gaffer : Yves Soudan (first season in charge as head-coach)

GLORY GLORY MAN. UNITED (PT ONE)

In a performance that showed such class, composure and swagger United passed Inter off the park in their own San Siro stadium in front of 84 000 spectators.  Especially in the first half goalkeeper Julio Cesar made a string of excellent saves on a bullet header from Portuguese winger Ronaldo and he also stood firm when Ryan Giggs was clean through.  For this clash United fielded an unfamiliar defence, with former Royal Antwerp starlet Jonny Evans partnering Rio Ferdinand and the versatile John O’Shea coming in at right back.  Although honesty tells us that Fletcher and Carrick were instrumental in protecting the defence it was crystal clear that the Northern Ireland defender who was given a pain-killing injection before kick-off and at half-time had a blinder and performed well against the likes of Ibrahimovic, Adriano and in the latter stages Cruz and Balotelli.  Manager Sir Alex Ferguson regretted not grabbing an away goal but in a fortnight at the Theatre of Dreams the Champions of England, Europe and the World are big favourites to proceed to the quarter-finals!

On Sunday at Wembley the Mancunians awaits Tottenham Hotspur in the final of the league cup where another former Royal Antwerp player Darren Gibson will do his best to bring more silverware in the Manchester United throphy cabinet.

DARKO NEXT ONE TO HAVE A YELLOW REST

5:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08 + 18.02.'09)

4:Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09), Zarko Jelicic (21.02.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ivan Vukomanovic, Ransford Addo, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke, Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08 + 18.02.'09 + 21.02.'09).

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 18.02.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08).

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-SEVEN

K. St.-Truidense V.V. reopened a five point lead at the top of the Exqi-league table after winning at bottom club Union Royale Namur thanks to the fourteenth goal of striker Sidibe. Five points indeed because title rivals K. Lierse S.K. lost for the first time on the road which meant their run of nineteen unbeaten games came to an end.  The leading club of the Walloon area, Royal F.C. Tournai staged a remarkable comeback after being 0-1 down - a beautiful curler from Samir after good work from the left wing by the inevitable Cavens -  and for the home team a spotkick from Dorizon and a perfect counter finished off by Mouissi  led to a  surprise lead, afterwards the yellow-blacks were denied two clear penalty shouts by referee Pots.

For reaching the play-offs nine teams are in the running with the loser of the title battle in the Exqi-league as a big favourite to go up although 3 out of 8 chasing teams will have a say in the outcome in  months to come.  In a direct confrontation at the coast K.V. Ostend won rather easily from the team-in-form K.S.K. Ronse whereby home player Sankaré scored for both sides!  Because K.S.K. Beveren, Red Star Waasland lost this round and K.V.K. Tienen only drew Royal Antwerp Football Club are currently in seventh position, after 3 losses the Great Old could finally seal a victory in the home tie vs Royal Excelsior Virton.  The two Serbian forwards Zarko Jelicic (left) and Darko Pivaljevic (right) were on the scoresheet, a late consolation goal of Vandesande only good for the stats.

In the battle against relegation K.M.S.K. Deinze did themselves no favour by losing at home vs a rejuvenated K.A.S. Eupen side. A brace from new midfielder Milicevic gave the squad from gaffer Danny Ost a real chance to survive although next week a trip to the Lisp awaits them. Our next opponents R.O.C. de Charleroi got a 6 out of 6 due to an away victory at Red Star Waasland proving it is still possible to keep a clean sheet against the likes of Onana’s calibre!

ROYAL ANTWERP - R EXC VIRTON

With Dimitri Davidovic gone, Ratko Svilar decides to change things around a bit, sending out the side in a 3-5-2 line up, with Addo, Fränkel and van Hemert at the back, Vukomanovic and Trenson bolstering midfield, giving De Vriese, Pivaljevic and Jelicic more freedom to find Coulibaly and Kenmogne up front. Did it help Royal Antwerp to end the string of defeats? Read our match report.

PROFILE OPPONENT * ROYAL EXCELSIOR VIRTON

Stadium Bosuil - Saturday 21 February 2009 - 8.00 PM (c.e.t.)

           

Referees: Kenny Snoeck - Eric Thiry - Michael Gerard

Small and mediocre clubs, faded glories, football fields in the countryside, dilapidated stadiums.  In Belgium, every small town has its own club and in our Exqi-league encounter at Royal Excelsior Virton we even witnessed the inauguration of a brand new stand at the Yvan Georges Stadium where we took maximum points through a certain wonder strike from Setti and a late Jelicic’ goal.

With K.M.S.K. Deinze, K.F.C. V.W. Hamme and K.A.S. Eupen all hoping to leapfrog our next opponents in the forthcoming weeks it’s crystal clear that Royal Excelsior Virton is no footballing giant. The greatest assets of the team are the two French front men Bareck Bendaha and Moussa Koïta but the former seems out of favour by gaffer Grandjean, he did only play 35’ in the capital on Wednesday.  In the injury-prone Bendaha, formed in the youth ranks of Sedan and Lamonaca they have two players who can deliver pinpoint crosses to giant striker Koïta.  But even the skillful left-midfielder isn’t sure of his place in the starting eleven because new signing Lambot from Jupiler league relegation strugglers AFC Tubize is now pulling all the strings in midfield.

Pace, technique and good-off-the-ball movement remain the core values of the team, all anchored by a defense with undisputed first-choice goalkeeper Leyder and central defender Gustin.  In midfield Hareau is doing the dirty work and in Schoumaker ‘Les Verts du Gaume’ have an exciting young striker for years to come.

Line – up vs. FC M Brussels S. : Leyder, Gustin, Godart, Lepicier (55’ Bendaha), Hareau, Lespagnard, Dupuis, Schoumaker, Detremmerie (55’ Jacqmot), Koïta (75’ Vitali), Lamonaca.

Founded : 1922
FA number : 200
Address : Faubourg d’Arival – 6760 Virton
Stadium : Yvan Georges (5 000)
Ticket Office : 063/57 82 37
Website : www.excelsior-virton.be
Main Sponsors : BMW, Sud Télécom
Kit Colours : white shirt, green short, red socks
Budget : between 800 000 and 850 000 euro
Chairman : Gerard Herbigniaux
Gaffer : Sébastien Grandjean (° 16/06/1970) – third season in charge

DIMITRI DAVIDOVIC BADE HIS FANS & CLUB FAREWELL

Dimitri Davidovic (°21/5/1944) is a Belgian of Serbian descent former football player at FK Partizan, California Clippers (USA), NEC Nijmegem (Netherlands), K. Lierse S.K. (Belgium) and San Jose Earthquakes (USA).  After a very successful playing career he managed several Belgian, a Hungarian and a lot of Asian teams. Especially in Asia he won trophies for fun, bringing silverware to his Saudi Arabian and Emirates’ teams was for this astute tactician and motivator a second nature.

After spells in 1980-1983 (left) and 1989-1991 (middle) his favourite Belgian team Royal Antwerp Football Club asked him to become head-coach for the third time in his managerial career from 2008 (right) onwards. On 18 February 2009 after the home tie versus KVSK United O.-L. (1-2 loss) he spoke with his squad and informed them of his desire to leave the club. In a little announcement during the press conference he confirmed his plans to leave Royal Antwerp Football Club and football in general. Our club wishes to thank Dimitri Davidovic for his work ethic and endeavour past and present under sometimes difficult circumstances.

BAS MISSES GAME NEXT SATURDAY

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5:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08 + 18.02.'09)

4:Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ivan Vukomanovic, Ransford Addo, Zarko Jelicic, Emmerik De Vriese, Bas Vervaeke (07.09.'08 + 29.11.'08 + 15.02.'09).

2:Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08 + 15.02.'09), Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08 + 15.02.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08).

Remark: name in bold = suspension next game.

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-ONE

It could only happen here, couldn’t it?  Who said this club isn’t cursed must know that the only thing which has pleased us  about the past fortnight or so is the way the fans have stuck together and have mobilized themselves in a sensible manner, deflating those who expected the “Red Army” to all act like the Big Brother generation we see wanting their five seconds of fame, playing to the camera every time there is a hint of crisis at Royal Antwerp Football Club! Yes, your guess is right, on a bitter cold February 18th another disappointment happened to the Bosuil faithful, the second home loss on the trot at the holy ground. With goals from Ketting and (number 18) Brouwers KVSK United O.-L. meritely won and a first-halve equalizer from Coulibaly couldn’t change the direction of the result. Our colours are now occupying 10th place in the Exqi-league and that’s far away from entering the play-offs.

Dimitri Davidovic: August 2008 (left) and February 2009 (right) bade his club and his fans farewell last night

This below-par ranking led to the departure of our Serbian gaffer Dimitri Davidovic who stated at the press conference that he wishes to thank everybody at the club past and present for the cooperation he received during his spell at the Bosuil.

Because K. St.-Truidense V.V. lost at lowly R.O.C. de Charleroi and K. Lierse S.K. not playing only 2 points separates both frontrunners in the Exqi-league, they have now played the same number of games so on March 25 at Staaien the decisive game to win the Championship this year?

In the battle for play-offs berths K.S.K. Ronse seems a good bet, this season’s revelation (just promoted last season) are on the brink of clinching some extra money, this round they brushed K.F.C. V.W. Hamme aside thanks to a brace of De Broyer and goals from their midfield maestro Ferreira-Lino and robust striker Ouardi! Other play-offs candidates with results going for  them were K.V. Ostend, FC M Brussels S. and KV Red Star Waasland whose Cameroon striker Hervé Ndjana Onana was once again on the score sheet, his twentieth (!) of the season.

In the basement of the Exqi-league K.M.S.K. Deinze (at Union Royale Namur) and K.A.S. Eupen (at Royal FC de Liège) took valuable three pointers, in the game at Liège referee Lagaert sent off three players of Raphaël Quaranta’s team!

ROYAL ANTWERP - KVSK UNITED O.L.

Stadium Bosuil - Wednesday 18 February 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

Referees: Guy Stas - Christophe Demoulin - Joël De Bruyn

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-SIX

In the title-race the two contenders K Lierse SK and K. St.-Truidense V.V. made no mistakes in their home ties, the former brushed KVK Tienen aside and the latter won vs K.V. Ostend thanks to Sidibe’s strike at half-time. In this game the Seasiders ended with 8 men on the pitch and gaffer Vande Velde followed the unsportsmanship behaviour of his players, referee Burie had no other option sending him also into the stands!

More important for our beloved colours is the question which three other teams will qualify for the play-offs? The current situation is that K.S.K. Ronse (winners in the local derby vs Royal F.C. Tournai) and K.S.K. Beveren (winners vs whipping boys Union Royale Namur) are in the best position with 41 and 39 points respectively and both have even one game in hand but will now definitely feel the pressure in the final third of the Exqi-league season! 

As could be expected FC M Brussels S. took advantage of their home status to leapfrog us in the table thanks to a lucky shot from skipper Le Postollec in a game that had 0-0 written all over it.  Royal Antwerp lost two important games vs direct play-offs opposition on the trot and must now take maximum points in the forthcoming two home fixtures, as coach Dimitri Davidovic well stated during his encounter with the press after the game.

Because of the frozen pitches and the unavailability of undersoil heating in the Exqi-league the games at KVSK United O.L. and K.A.S. Eupen were postponed and will be played on a later date. On Wednesday the games from round 21 are on the calendar schedule, let’s hope there will not be any further  postponements because the league-table is getting confused…

EMMERIK DE VRIESE NEXT ONE TO MISS A GAME

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4:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08), Roel van Hemert (15.02.'09).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ivan Vukomanovic, Ransford Addo, Zarko Jelicic, Emmerik De Vriese (06.12.'08 + 07.02.'09 + 15.02.'09).

2:Bas Vervaeke (07.09.'08 + 29.11.'08), Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08), Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08).

Remark: name in bold = suspension next game.

PROFILE OPPONENT * FC M BRUSSELS S.

Stadium Edm. Machtens - Sunday 15 February 2009 - 2.30 PM (c.e.t.)

Referees: Luc Wouters - Davy Buelen - Stephane Deraeve

Although our next opponents can leapfrog us in the Exqi-league on Sunday the charismatical and controversial entrepreneur/chairman Johan Vermeersch held our former manager Marc Grosjean responsible for a lack of industry, desire, belief, intelligence and trust in his team performances and Grosjean will be given another role in the organisation of FC M Brussels S. Another managerial casualty in the long history of the team from the capital but that is the prize Johan Vermeersch wants to pay in his pursuit of Jupiler league football!

With Werner and Izgi FC M Brussels S. have two reliable goalkeepers, the defensive part of the team isn’t the strongest but going forward they possess three players for the big occasions. First of all there’s midfield maestro Zola Matumona who has already 7 goals on his tally and is deadly accurate in his passing, the second is new January signing from YR KV Mechelen Kielo Lezi and the third on the list is Ivorian striker Sanogo. In Sundays televised clash influential captain Culek, midfielders Coppin and Fellahi will miss out due to injuries.

Line-up vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Werner, Iglesias, Blanc, Le Postellec, Cabeke, Sanogo (77’ Nollevaux), Culibaly (87’ Cil), Tohoua, Durieux, Kielo Lezi, Matumona.
Goal vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Kielo Lezi

Founded : 1933
FA number : 1936
Address : Karel Malisstraat 61 – 1080 Brussel
Stadium : Edmond Machtens (11 266)
Ticket Office : 02/411 69 86
Website : www.fc-brussels.be
Main Sponsors : Crefibel, Vermeersch Construct and Jartazi
Kit Colours : red/black shirt, black short, black socks
Budget : last year in Jupiler League 4,5 million euro – this year no information.
Chairman : Johan Vermeersch
Gaffer : has to be announced in the near future

ZARKO MISSES MATCH IN BRUSSELS

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4:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ivan Vukomanovic, Roel van Hemert, Ransford Addo, Zarko Jelicic (23.11.'08 + 27.12.'08 + 07.02.'09).

2:Bas Vervaeke (07.09.'08 + 29.11.'08), Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09), Emmerik De Vriese (06.12.'08 + 07.02.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08), Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08).

Remark: name in bold = suspension next game.

ROYAL ANTWERP - KSK BEVEREN

Youngsters of neighbouring clubs were invited to the Bosuil to attend the game between Royal Antwerp and KSK Beveren. They had a wonderful time, but did the fans enjoy their evening at the Stadium as well? Read our match report and find the answer.

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-FIVE

Last Saturday evening on the Bosuilpitch two tradition-laden clubs showed their potential in front of 8 000 spectators and enforced by the four new signings Cousin, Mulisa and Kokot (starting eleven) and Lacroix (bench) it was no real surprise that visitors K.S.K. Beveren went in front undeservedly after 40’ with a header of central defender Rentmeister.  Even when the visitors were reduced to ten men a lacklustre Royal Antwerp couldn’t prevent a first home defeat since the K. St.- Truidense V.V. loss against a well organised K.S.K. Beveren, whose attacking prowess lay down their cards for their top 5 ambitions. Meanwhile the oldest club of the country are currently in seventh spot and are almost obliged to take maximum points out of the remaining home fixtures!

The next few months K.St.- Truidense V.V. and K. Lierse S.K. will decide who become champion in the Exqi-league with the former in pole-position after a win at Royal FC de Liège in the dying minutes thanks to a fabulous goal from influential skipper Delorge.  K. Lierse S.K. were forced to combat a five-man defensive wall on the coast and despite several chances couldn’t find gaps in the K.V. Ostend defence.

For spots 3 to 5 eight teams are in the running and as all teams have dropped points at random obstacles the hunt for play-offs berths is open. Winners of this weekend were K.S.K. Ronse who find themselves in third spot after an encouraging display at Union Royale Namur and the likes of Ouardi, Ferreira-Lino and De Broyer were once again on the scoresheet. Next week awaits them a home fixture against the best team of the Walloon area, Royal F.C. Tournai whose win vs KVSK United O.-L. sets up nicely for a mouthwatering tie with local bragging rights at stake.

Further it seems more and more obvious that the rejuvenated and rebuilded squad from K.A.S. Eupen will fight for their lives to survive in the Exqi-league, with the new faces on board they managed a win at K.V.K. Tienen and will push K.F.C. V.W. Hamme and K.M.S.K. Deinze until the final day to avoid relegation!

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.S.K. BEVEREN

Bosuil - Saturday 7 Februari 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

referees: Paul Allaerts - Kris Messely - Edwin Rys

Our next opponents hope to move level on points with us in this regional derby fixture, they are currently in tenth position 3 points behind us with one game in hand.  Last term we hammered K.S.K. Beveren home and away (10-0 aggregate score!!!).  In the current Exqi-league Royal Antwerp Football Club played K.S.K. Beveren at the Freethiel and lost 1-0 thanks to no one other than Luciano Olguin in front of a capacity crowd of 6 000 spectators.
Needless to say that home advantage could be vital and a good attendance will help our lads in the chase for a play-offs berth come May. 

While goalkeeper Deelkens and Gambian striker sensation Savaneh Ebrahim Ibou left the club in the Summer transfer window, a lot of wheeling and dealing was done in the January transfer window with our former cult hero looking to move abroad to Russian Premier League team Spartak Nalchik. Both teams couldn’t seal an agreement over the financial terms at this moment in time but the transfer sale period is still open in Russia until March! Another former Royal Antwerp player, nowadays manager of the yellow-blues Alex Czerniatynski did as if he already received the Russian money and spent it wisely to improve the attacking power of K.S.K. Beveren.

In the first place came Bob Cousin, the influential midfielder from K.M.S.K. Deinze followed by leftwinger Michäel Lacroix from highflying K.V.K. Tienen and further bolstering the attack are Jimmy Mulisa, a tall Rwandese loan signing from Jupiler League strugglers K.S.V. Roeselare, accompanied by the 23-year old Bosnian Zoran Kokot. If all forms, work permits and the likes are dressed up, K.S.K. Beveren might have 4 new players enforcing the team at the Bosuil. With a spine of goalkeeper Dantschotter, defenders Lardenoit and Rentmeister, defensive midfield anchorman Baghdad and young prospects such as Martens and De Munter K.S.K. Beveren will certainly have a say in the hunt for play-offs tickets!

Founded : 1935
FA number : 2300
Address : Klapperstraat 151 bis – 9120 Beveren
Stadium : Freethiel (5 897 due to rebuilding work)
Ticket Office : 03/750 25 01
Website : www.kskbeveren.be
Main Sponsor : Van Moer Group
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, blue short, yellow socks
Budget : 1,5 million euro
Chairman : Dirk Verelst
Gaffer : Alex Czerniatynski (° 28/07/1960) – manager career : KV Mechelen (2001-2004), SK Kampenhout (2005-2006), Royale Union (2006-2007), K.S.K. Beveren (2007-?)
Honours : Belgian Champions 1979 and 1984  Belgian Cup 1978 and 1983  Belgian Supercup 1984  Semi-final European Cup Winners Cup 1979

ROEL & RANSFORD TO MISS NEXT GAME

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4:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ivan Vukomanovic, Roel van Hemert (27.08.'08 + 20.09.'08 + 31.01.'09), Ransford Addo (09.11.'08 + 21.12.'08 + 31.01.'09).

2:Bas Vervaeke (07.09.'08 + 29.11.'08), Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Zarko Jelicic (23.11.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09 + 31.01.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08), Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08), Emmerik De Vriese (06.12.'08).

Remark: name in bold = suspension next game.

K SINT-TRUIDENSE VV - R ANTWERP FC

It was a tough job at Staaien for both teams, but the fans of Royal Antwerp were pleased with their team's performance and our match report tells you why.

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-FOUR

the two coaches after the game at Staaien: Dimitri Davidovic (left) and Guido Brepoels

After years of being saddled with an unambitious board and a succession of unremarkable managers, K. St.-Truidense V.V. finally boast a partnership in chairman Duchâtelet and manager Brepoels capable of restoring some of the club’s pride. They are gradually building a squad with a renewed sense of purpose and the Exqi-league title in May is just a stepping-stone to break into the Jupiler League elite clubs. But  partypoopers this round were visitors Royal Antwerp Football Club whose disciplined and organised display gave them a well deserved point. With this hard-fought point we remain in fourth position although only 3 points seperates third-placed K.V.K. Tienen from tenth-placed K.S.K. Beveren.

Winner of the weekend are K. Lierse S.K. whose win on Saturday evening against bottom club Union Royale Namur move them level  on points with K. St.-Truidense V.V. although the latter have one game in hand.  The side of gaffer Helleputte have now gone 17 matches in a row unbeaten in the Exqi-league, have taken 19 points out of a last possible 21 and have netted 45 goals, the highest in the division and have also the unique chance to reach the semi-finals of the Belgian Cofidis Cup on Wednesday when they entertain third division outfit Racing Mechelen.

Almost unnoticed K.M.S.K. Deinze and K.A.S. Eupen have been  rebuilding  their squad with new signings. For K.M.S.K. Deinze this brought their third win of the season against play-offs candidate K.V.K. Tienen, for the boys from gaffer Ost back-to-back wins were possible but at a frozen pitch in the Eastern part of Belgium they lost to the highest ranked team from the Walloon area, Royal F.C. Tournai!

PROFILE K ST.-TRUIDENSE VV

Saturday 31 January 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

Referees: Gaetan Simon - Danny Huens - Patrick Vanackere

The teams that are able to bounce back from a loss or a dip in form as K. St. – Truidense V.V. did just before the Winter break are the teams most likely to go the distance.  An excellent team spirit is absolutely essential when things are bound to go wrong at some point.  It must be said that experienced manager Guido Brepoels has breathed new life into S.T.V.V. and all the signs are that this Exqi-league season promises to take our next opponents football back to its vintage best.

With a game in hand S.T.V.V. are currently the proud leader of the Exqi-league and gaffer Brepoels can make the difference between winning or losing the title come May. Brepoels knows you can’t have any weaknesses down the middle of his team, that means he has a reliable Belgian goalkeeper in Mignolet, a solid centre-back pairing with the likes of Cantaluppi and Euvrard, an influential captain in midfielder Delorge and a top goalscorer in giant striker Sidibe. Already a strong spine but because goals are what win games, frontman Sidibe is backed by Siani and two players with Belgian grit who can score from midfield in Wilmet and new signing Mennes. All these players are so valuable for STVV because they have the type of mentality you need to win trophies!

For the home side Appeltans and Charai are out injured but wouldn’t it be a dream if Matthias Trenson and Adamo Coulibaly perform well against their former colleagues and bring back home the three points  despite all the aforementioned assets of S.T.V.V.?

Line – up vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Mignolet, Wagemakers, Cantaluppi, Euvrard, Deferm, Mennes, Wilmet, Delorge, Chimedza (80’ Antheunis), Siani (71’ Debroux), Sidibe (90’ Weuts).
Goals vs K.F.C. V.W. Hamme : Wilmet, Mennes, Sidibe and Debroux.
Attendance : 5 200

Founded : 23/2/1924
FA number : 373
Address : Tiensesteenweg 168/170 – 3800 Sint-Truiden
Stadium : Staaien (12 491)
Ticket Office : 011/68 38 29
Website : www.stvv.com
Main Sponsor : Belisol (windows and doors)
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, blue short, yellow socks
Budget : between 2,2 million and 4 million euro
Chairman : Roland Duchâtelet
Gaffer : Guido Brepoels – manager career : SK Kermt (1996-2002), KSK Tongeren (2002-2004), O.-H. Leuven (2004-2007), KVSK United O.-L. (2007-2008), STVV (2008- first season in charge).
Honours : runner-up Belgian Cup 1971 and 2003

A DAY'S REST FOR IVAN VUKOMANOVIC

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4:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti, Ivan Vukomanovic (04.10.'08 + 06.12.'08 + 24.01.'09).

2:Roel van Hemert (27.08.'08 + 20.09.'08), Bas Vervaeke (07.09.'08 + 29.11.'08), Ransford Addo (09.11.'08 + 21.12.'08), Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Zarko Jelicic (23.11.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08), Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08), Emmerik De Vriese (06.12.'08), Adamo Coulibaly (24.01.'09).

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-THREE

Where should we be in the Exqi-league ranking  without the pace, control, skill, technique, awareness, heart, temperament, determination and finishing ability of Emmanuel Kenmogne whose spotkick drew us level and scrimmage goal in the dying seconds gave us an important victory on Saturday evening?  With the much needed three points against our bogey team, Royal Antwerp Football Club are now in fourth position and with 9 home ties still to play a big favourite to reach the play-offs.

Our next opponents K. St.-Truidense V.V. stayed top without playing because K. Lierse S.K. winning streak came to an end after a stalemate at Le Payray against draw specialists Royal FC de Liège. In a tradition-laden game in front of 4,500 spectators Egyptian midfielder Wahed gave the visitors the lead but in a tetchy game Guillaume Legros deservedly equalised and bursted into tears with his brother Jean Sebastien after the goal, the most emotional moment in the Exqi-league this season in memory of their deceased father who died a few days ago.  So, Royal FC de Liège drew for the twelfth time and K. Lierse S.K. remain unbeaten in sixteen consecutive league games and they have an unique chance to go further in the Cup when they meet League One (Belgian Division Three) outfit Racing Mechelen in a two-leg quarter final!

In the other games K.S.K. Beveren won at local rivals K.F.C. V.W. Hamme and this without our former player Luciano Olguin who managed to seal a deal with Russian Premier League team Spartak Nalchik. Further we noticed home victories for O.-H. Leuven against FC M. Brussels S. who ended the game with 8 (!) players and KV Red Star Waasland won convincingly versus play-offs candidate K.V.K. Tienen. For the home team Hervé Onana netted his sixteeenth goal of the season, one more than the aforementioned star striker of our beloved colours, the one and only Emmanuel Kenmogne!

PROFILE OPPONENT * K.S.K. RONSE

After the midweek win against K.S.K. Beveren our bogey team are coming to the Bosuil with the same number of points and even one game in hand. Yes, our bogey team because they already managed to beat us on two occasions this season, once in the Cup at our ground and in the Exqi-league we also lost at the Orphale Cruckestadium in the Flemish Ardennes.

K.S.K. Ronse always recruited a lot of French players in their ranks such as goalkeeper Cottier, defenders Essikal and Rubulotta, midfielders Brienne and Lecaillier and strikers Ouardi and Guelsifi.  The man to watch is influential midfield skipper Grégory Ferreira Lino, a French number ten with a lot of temper and technical ability. Together with experienced defender Tjörven De Brul he’s the leader on and off the pitch.  With 7 goals on his tally striker De Broyer can cause havoc in opposition ranks.

Line-up vs K.S.K. Beveren : Cottier, Kurtulus, De Brul, Romont (90’ Moumou), Essikal, Rubulotta, Brienne, Ferreira (75’ De Rouck), Guelsifi, Ouardi, De Broyer.
Goals vs K.S.K. Beveren : De Broyer, Guelsifi, Romont and Ouardi.

Founded : 1987
FA number : 38
Address : Leuzesteenweg 183 – 9600 Ronse
Stadium : Orphale Cruckestadium (5200)
Ticket Office : 055/21 14 12
Website : www.ksk-ronse.be
Main Sponsors : Bocova, Mercedes Fiers and Sinelko
Kit Colours : blue-white shirts and shorts, blue-white-red socks
Budget : between 400 000 and 500 000 euro
Chairman : Jean-Marie Vandendriessche
Gaffer : Bart Van Renterghem (°11/08/1972) – manager career : KMSK Deinze (2005-2007,assistant), K.S.K. Ronse (2007- second season in charge)
Honours : Third Division Champions (promoted last season).

CARLING CUP FINAL AT WEMBLEY ON MARCH 1

Champions of England, Europe and the World Manchester United have overturn their single-goal deficit in the second leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday so Fergie’s fledglings booked their place in the Carling Cup final despite being given a late scare by Derby County. In front of 73,374 spectators at the Theatre of Dreams a belter from Nani levelled the tie and then our former player and Republic of Ireland defender John O’Shea  took his time to pick his spot for his first goal this season. When Argentinian international Carlos Tevez headed home on 34’ the tie looked done and dusted. Jonny Evans, Darron Gibson and their teammates took their foot off the pedal after half-time. When Sir Alex brought on Fletcher (42’), Ronaldo (58’) and Chester (67’) he had used all three substitutes when Northern Ireland international defender  Jonny Evans picked up an injury with 15’ to play and our former player was forced to play the distance.  With spotkicks from Barnes (80’) and Ronaldo (89’) the scoreline was 4-1 but a superb free-kick from Barnes (90’) brought Derby within one goal of extra-time but the Mancunians held on for an 4-3 aggregate win.  On United’s website Sir Alex already stated that his fledglings will play the final at Wembley with former Royal Antwerp stars Jonny Evans, John O’Shea and Darron Gibson in their ranks and the opponents that day will be Tottenham Hotspur who almost gave away a 4-1 first leg lead to win after extra-time at second division outfit Burnley.

SEVEN TO FEAR

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4:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08).

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti

2:Roel van Hemert (27.08.'08 + 20.09.'08), Bas Vervaeke (07.09.'08 + 29.11.'08), Ivan Vukomanovic (04.10.'08 + 06.12.'08), Ransford Addo (09.11.'08 + 21.12.'08), Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Zarko Jelicic (23.11.'08 + 27.12.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08 + 17.01.'09).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08), Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08), Emmerik De Vriese (06.12.'08).

SUMMARY DAY TWENTY-TWO

In front of 10 636 spectators K. Lierse S.K. won the tradition-laden game vs Royal Antwerp Football Club with 4-1 but K. St.-Truidense V.V. won by the same scoreline their home fixture against K.F.C. V.W. Hamme so the gap between the two remains three points.  A two horse race until the finish to decide who will be crowned champions come May must be the conclusion because K.V.K. Tienen and K.V. Ostend couldn’t manage a win this round and have already deficits of 8 (K.V.K.) and 10 (K.V.) points.

Together with Royal Antwerp Football Club, FC M Brussels S. and K.S.K. Beveren there will be a fierce struggle for the remaining play-offs tickets but our colours have the advantage of playing 10 home games and only 6 away so our home form will decide whether we advance to the play-offs.

At the bottom of the table K.A.S. Eupen against Union Royale Namur ended in a stalemate so both teams will struggle to avoid relegation and other important news is that KVSK United O.-L. sacked their gaffer Dany David after his team couldn’t seal a home win against draw specialists Royal FC de Liège.

K LIERSE SK - R ANTWERP FC

Manu Kenmogne scored his thirtheenth of the season. Was it enough to celebrate? Read our match report and watch some footage at RAFC.TV.

PROFILE OPPONENT * K. LIERSE S.K.

Saturday 17 January 2009 - 8 PM (c.e.t.)

Referees: Serge Gumienny - Walter Vromans - Kristof Meers

In 1904 Gustaaf van den Roye proposed to start up a football club following the example of Antwerp FC.  After some opposition and several meetings to hear more details of his football plans on 6th March 1906 Lierse was born and the first board established.  The very first game was against soldiers from the local barracks.  After being officially affiliated to the Belgian FA in 1909 Lierse played on a pitch in rural Kloosterheide, in 1912 moved to the ‘Molekens’ before inaugurating their current home, the Herman Vanderpoorten stadium since 1925 better known as the ‘Lisp’.  After winning the Belgian league in 1932,1942 and 1960 came the famous Elland Road experience of a lifetime on 21st September 1971.  The yellow-blacks had lost a fortnight earlier at the Lisp against the Leeds superstars with 0-2 and nobody gave a chance for our next opponent in the return leg.  After 90’ the scoreboard at Leeds read an improbably 0-4 defeat for the locals and the Cup holders were knocked out thanks to some unknown Flemish players.  The next highlights in their history came when Eric Gerets took the reigns and guided the team from obscurity to something which nobody thought possible, he led Lierse in 1997 under the stewardship from the assistant coach of now, Eric Van Meir, to their fourth Belgian title with a little bit of help from Royal Antwerp who defeated everybody’s hotly tipped favourites, Club Brugge in the last but one round.   In 1999 Lierse won their second Belgian Cup but couldn’t hold their main young assets and keeping up with the elite clubs in Belgium had now become the top priority.  The last years have been doom and gloom with e.g. a not so well communicated bribery scandal with a certain Zheyun Yé but since the Egyptian investors group Wadi Degla with Maged Samy took over a new era of hope is expected and the Lierse faithful, always with good attendances of over 6 000, are chasing direct promotion from the Exqi-league (Championship) to the Jupiler League (Premiership).

Halfway K. Lierse S.K. is occupying second position in the much contested Exqi-league, the self-elected Champions with the slogan ‘Together Champions’ are still 3 points behind the leaders K. St.-Truidense V.V.   For the run-in of the last 17 games experienced gaffer Herman Helleputte has a mix of young, hungry talent and experienced players to pick from.

In goal Serbian Vladan Kujovic is an imposing figure.  Although not a really big presence in the area he is sharp, agile and alert and you know that if you ever got the ball into the net past him, you’ve done really well.  He played for Levante and Roda JC and his positional sense is superb, his football skills are excellent and as a 30-year old his standards or commitment won’t be dropping.  Belgian goalkeeper Van Der Jeugt is second choice.
Leftback is former Royal Antwerp player Garry De Graef who via second division teams in the nearby Netherlands and German side Paderborn came in the Summer transfer window to the Lisp and is a dogged, tough in the tackle and very adventurous defender going forward – he’d get deep into the opposition half and deliver assists for his forwards.   In central defence Dreesen (who had a unlucky stint at Club Brugge last year) forms a partnership with the tall Bojovic who’s dangerous on set pieces.  Both defenders are enthusiastic and up for every game, determination for winning beyond belief.  Last one in the row of defenders is rightback Julien Tshiala, family of a famous female TV star and although not the tallest extremely strong for his size and very energetic.

In midfield young talent Buyens and De Witte are bossing the defensive areas whereas Egyptians Wahed (5 goals already) and Samir are occupying the flanks.   Macedonian Nedzipi can also figure in midfield.

The strongest part of the side is the almost endless array of attacking talent with Ghanian Agblexo, Nikolic from Montenegro and Theeratep Winothai from Thailand and from Burundi there’s also Ndikumana.  But the two strongest assets of the team are the much travelled Jurgen Cavens (Olympique Marseille,  R Standard CL and FC Twente) and off course the Mickey Mouse of the Exqi-league, Tomasz Radzinski who used to play and terrorise defences in the Premier League for Everton and Fulham. This deadly duo already have 20 goals between them and are undoubtely the greatest finishers in the current Exqi-League.  They can score any kind of goal – 25-yarders, dink them over the keeper, whatever you like – and it’s all down to dedication!

This gritty team is managed by Herman Helleputte who will keep his team’s feet on the ground.  Herman is a great human being and will always keep the game simple, there are no complex tactics and it’s all about graft on the training pitch!

On Tuesday night our next opponents pulled off a stunt in the last sixteen of the Belgian Cup
by beating Dender at the Florent Beeckmanstadium 2-3 and they will meet Racing Mechelen of the Third Division (League One) in a two-leg quarter final.
Line – up vs Dender : Kujovic, Tshiala (78’ Radzinski), Frans, Dreesen, De Witte, Samir (46’ Winothai), Bojovic, Buyens, De Graef, Abdel Wahed, Ndikumana.
Goals vs Dender : Abdel Wahed, Dreesen and Radzinski.  Attendance : 2 500.

Founded : 1906
FA number : 30
Address : Lispersteenweg 237 – 2500 Lier
Stadium : Herman Vanderpoorten (14 538)
Ticket Office : 03/480 13 70
Website : www.lierse.be
Main Sponsor : Wadi Degla Group (Egypt)
Kit Colours : yellow shirt, black short, black socks.
Budget : 3,5 million euro
Chairman : Corneel De Ceulaer
Honours :  Belgian league title in 1932,1942,1960 and 1997  Belgian Cup in 1969 and 1999
Participated 10 times in the European Cups (remember Leeds!)
Gaffer : Herman Helleputte (°22/3/1954) – manager career : Lierse (1988-1994) assistant and from March 1991 head coach, Germinal Ekeren (July 1994-November 1995 and from October 1996- May 1999), Germinal Beerschot (1999-2000,assistant), Harelbeke (2000-January 2001), Dessel Sport (January 2001-March 2001), Beveren (2002-2005), Westerlo (2005-2007), Lierse (2007-?)

THEY ARE SIX TO FEAR

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4:Ray Fränkel (13.12.'08)

3:Matthias Trenson, Sebastian Setti.

2:Roel van Hemert (27.08.'08 + 20.09.'08), Bas Vervaeke (07.09.'08 + 29.11.'08), Ivan Vukomanovic (04.10.'08. + 06.12.'08), Ransford Addo (09.11.'08 + 21.12.'08), Darko Lukanovic (19.10.'08 + 27.12.'08), Zarko Jelicic (23.11.'08 + 27.12.'08).

1:Bart De Corte (04.10.'08), Slobodan Slovic (12.10.'08), Marco Gbarssin (23.11.'08), Spencer Verbiest (23.11.'08), Darko Pivaljevic (29.11.'08), Emmerik De Vriese (06.12.'08).