Both Onur Cinel and Michiel Jonckheere – with or without the matches against La Louvière and Beerschot next weekend in mind – gave opportunities to some players who normally do not make the starting eleven. Van Der Bruggen, Diop, Utkus and Minda remained on the bench at Cercle. At KVK, Challouk, Hurtevent, Fofana and Liam De Smet were given playing minutes in the starting line-up. The ‘cup goalkeepers’ Warleson and De Vlaeminck were also under the bar.
Cercle started with clear field dominance. Agyekum aimed for the side netting after seven minutes. The Mexican Jurado could have scored even after thirty seconds. The third chance was a hit. Within fifteen minutes. Again through Jurado who took advantage of his playing opportunities. After a smooth combination with Ngoura, he put the 1-0 into the net next to De Vlaeminck.
The second quarter mainly brought midfield football. KVK gradually became more prominent in the piece. It was able to score a few corner kicks and after half an hour a shot from the second line by Van Landschoot. Without danger, however. Until Cercle threatened again. Ravych headed a corner kick wide from close range.
Even after that chance, it was mainly the visitors who had the ball, without really being able to score. Cercle seemed to wait to break out when possible. So it remained 1-0 halfway through.