Cercle makes short work of Beerschot after the break

Trainer Miron Muslic lets a number of boys rest, but that does not prevent the others from immediately grabbing Beerschot by the throat. A quick combination between Denkey and Gboho puts the home team ahead after three minutes. That early gap turns out to be deadly for the game, in which next to nothing happens, except for a lot of small mistakes, and a confused leading Matonga. Beerschot has a hard time with the pressure from Cercle, and barely comes close to Warleson. If that does happen, Verlinden will need too much time.

But Cercle also no longer touches on opportunities, and allows herself to be rocked to sleep. Four minutes before half-time, they broke down when Verlinden was able to hold off Daland and Ravych, and pushed in the equalizer. Thibaud Verlinden, son of ex-cercle goalkeeper coach Dany.

Dream start again

Muslic brings in three new players, Hotic, Velkovsky and Ueda before Kehrer, Gboho and Deman, and that pays off immediately. In the first minute Hotic serves Ueda, who cuts out his man and shoots in from across the corner. Barely four minutes later, a corner from Cercle is not lost, and Denkey is in the right place. 3-1, two hammer blows that count out Beerschot.

Other matches

Thes Sport – KV Oostende 1-4 (54′ Ambrose, 62′ Atanga, 75′ Bätzner, 79′ Vanaken, 82′ Mo Berte)

Lommel – Zulte Waregem 0-1 (70′ Gano)

Patro Eisden-Club Bruges 0-0