Zulte Waregem easily progressed to the sixteenth final after half-time

The assignment for the new coach Vincent Euvrard was simple: beat the amateurs of Sint-Lenaarts, and preferably with good football. Because the Antwerpians from the third amateur class shouldn’t pose a problem for Essevee, right?

After seventeen minutes the road seemed paved for an easy victory. Because Traoré made it 1-0. The Elindus Arena could hope for a truckload of goals. But it didn’t happen. The game was sloppy and twenty minutes later the home fans had to swallow because Sint-Lenaarts actually came alongside: 1-1 via Borahsasar.

Trainer Euvrard – dissatisfied – intervened at half time with a quadruple (!) substitution. Lemaire, Tambedou, Ciranni and Ndour were allowed to stay inside. In their place came newcomer Robbe Decostere, Bagan, Demuynck and Laureyssens. And so the difference came, halfway through the second half. The visitors conceded three goals in fifteen minutes. Brüls, Decostere and Demuynck made the score 4-1. Two substitutes at the gun, they turned the match.

Essevee will know its opponent in the sixteenth final on Monday. That will definitely be a first-rounder.