Van Hemert finally has the opportunity to put one over new OH Leuven coach Van de Velde, having missed the chance to do so against KV Oostende. 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 Baert gets the nod instead of Verbiest, Pivaljevic is back after suspension and back problems and De Vriese gets the nod ahead of Coulibaly who is on the bench with Vervaeke, Slovic and Van Trier.

Match Summary – 1st Half

As has now become the norm, Royal Antwerp start well and they create a number of chances in the first 10 minutes, which test the visitors and their new coach. De Vriese see’s a cross go out of harms way, then he and Jelicic combine well to set up Kenmogne on goal, who is obstructed by Ruttens, either in or near the penalty area, but the referee is not convinced and books Jelicic for protest. Pivaljevic has a header pushed out for a corner.

As the pressure eases so does the ability of the home side to find space in the OH Leuven half, even though the visitors leave plenty of space and time for Royal Antwerp to dominate possession. Not much evidence of Leuven in attack and it is Pivaljevic who again see’s a header go wide and it is the visitor’s offside trap which is the biggest problem for the home attack.

Half way through the half and Ristovic has his first real touch of the ball, cutting out a pass from Ruytinx, then clutching a corner safely. Leuven have a good chance but Zahiri is unable to convert his header. Royal Antwerp then miss the chance to open the score, Kenmogne gets his head to a cross from Pivaljevic, Ruttens is unable to keep hold of the ball and it falls to Jelicic who swings his favoured left foot at the ball only to hit it sky high and over the bar, that was a chance and a half.

OH Leuven string together a good passing move between Vastmans, Jarakovic and Ruytinx to Eboigbe, but Ristovic is able to clear his lines. Both coaches seem to be happy with their team’s performance.
Half Time 0-0

Match Summary – 2nd Half

No changes for either side at half time. What is clear is that Svilar has asked Baert to move forward, he is more on the ball and this gives him the freedom to express himself. However chances are still sparse. Jelicic has the first shot of the half but is wide. Frankel finds his way into the referee’s book.

Bossekota comes on (but will himself be substituted near the end). Vervaeke comes on to replace the injured Jelicic, with De Vriese moving wings to accommodate the change. This brings new impetus to the match. Pivaljevic has the home fans singing and dancing after steering home a perfect volley from a De Vriese cross. (1-0). Royal Antwerp ahead but they fail to profit from it.

The visitors almost equalise when Eboigbe is just short of turning in an inswinging cross from the left. Then they do score in a manner which leaves the home side deflated. The foul is by Addo, the free kick is taken by Vastmans, the wall is pierced and Ristovic allows the ball to slide underneath him and into goal. (1-1).

Royal Antwerp find it difficult to recover from such a soft goal in the last 20 minutes. A couple of half chances, a header from Kenmogne, a shot on the rebound from Vervaeke and a few sloppy corners are all that there is of note. Even bringing on Coulibaly fails to lift the team. The last effort is for the visitors but the header lands on top of the net, their main achievement is to have 2 more players booked and to have used all their substitutes.

The path to the play offs is getting more difficult by the week.
Full Time 1-1