Sporting Anderlecht took on URS Centre as part of the round of 32 of the Belgian Cup today, Wednesday 27th October 2010. The match against the leader of third division took place at Tivoli. Anderlecht had a hard time coping with URS Centre and only won after penalties.

Ariël Jacobs was not able to count on suspended players Ondrej Mazuch and Jan Polak, Victor Bernárdez and Cheikhou Kouyate took their place. Olivier Deschacht, who only recently had ankle surgery, was replaced by Jan Lecjaks. Lucas Biglia and Romelu Lukaku both started on the bench, Mbark Boussoufa was not part of the squad.

Sporting were dangerous through Ziguy Badibanga in the first stages of the match, but the home team managed to open the score after fifteen minutes of play. Chebaiki reached Romain Delaby, who was able to chip Davy Schollen and provide his team with the unhoped-for 1-0 lead. Some ten minutes later, Anderlecht scored the equalizer through Pablo Chavarria: 1-1. RSCA were also close to scoring the 1-2, but Badibanga’s attempt hit the post. In the final minute of the first half, URS Centre took the lead again. Delaby, him again, scored through a free kick: 2-1.

After half-time, Ariël Jacobs immediately carried through a substitution. Lucas Biglia came in for Cheikhou Kouyate. Sporting’s equalizer was scored soon. Ziguy Badibanga perfectly reached Guillaume Gillet and the native of Liège scored the 2-2 with a header. During the final ten minutes of the regular playing time, substitute Lukaku got close to scoring the winning goal, but he did not manage to finish off the opportunity. On the other side, Cavallo was also close to a goal, but Juhasz saved.

During extra time, Anderlecht kept on putting pressure on the home team, but did not manage to score. Badibanga’s shot was saved and Suarez did not manage to pass Tangara either. With five minutes left to go during the second period of extra time, Anderlecht were suddenly reduced to 9 players. First, Lucas Biglia had to leave the field with an injury and, only one minute later on, Matias Suarez was sent off the field after having been booked for the second time. In the end, penalties had to decide who was going to win the game. And, there, RSCA were the better team: Kljestan, Kanu, Bernárdez and Lukaku converted their penalties, whereas Stilmant (save by Schollen) and Le Part (crossbar) missed.

Thanks to this win, Anderlecht have qualified for the round of 16 of the Belgian Cup. Jacobs’ team will take on Westerlo on Thursday 10th November 2010.