RSC Anderlecht will play an important European away match against the Cypriot Limassol on Wednesday, but today, Saturday 18th August 2012, coach John van den Brom’s team had to play a Jupiler Pro League match first. The national champion received RAEC Mons in the fourth matchday. Sporting won 2-1 thanks to goals by Milan Jovanovic and Dennis Praet.

The Purple & White coach chose to use the same starting line-up as last Sunday against Cercle Bruges. Mons kicked off the match in a sweltering Astridpark. Tom De Sutter was stopped by Mons goalie Werner early on in the match, a shot by Kanu went wide and Lucas Biglia did not get past the visiting goalie with a free kick. After fifteen minutes of play, Mons pushed through for the first time, but a shot by Matthys went wide. Halfway through the first half, Sporting were dangerous twice, but Werner was able to stop Dieumerci Mbokani as well as an attempt by Guillaume Gillet after a nice action by the Congolese striker. Anderlecht went looking for the opening goal, but a header by Dieumerci Mbokani, on a corner by Lucas Biglia, went long. Only a few minutes later on, Milan Jovanovic hit the post and a lob by Mbokani was stopped. Mons reacted via Matumona and Nicaise, but their attempts went long. On the verge of half-time, the home team did manage to score. After an action by Tom De Sutter and Milan Jovanovic, the Serbian put in the 1-0.

Mons went looking for the equalizer in the second half and managed to do just that after a little less than an hour’s worth of play, when Mustapha Jarju beat Silvio Proto. Anderlecht reacted immediately and, only a minute after the equalizer, the visitors were reduced to ten players after a red card for Jérémy Sapina for a foul on Dieumerci Mbokani in the box. Penalty for the Purple & White: this time, Marcin Wasilewski took his responsibility, but Mons goalie Olivier Werner made the save. After sixty minutes of play, John van den Brom carried through his first substiution, Oleksandr Iakovenko came in for Milan Jovanovic and, somewhat later on, Dennis Praet also came in, for Guillaume Gillet. The substitutions proved to be successful ones. Dennis Praet quickly provided Dieumerci Mbokani with a perfect centre, but the Congolese’s header went long. Twenty minutes before the final whistle, the team from Brussels were rewarded when Denis Odoi passed the ball towards Oleksandr Iakovenko. The substitute beat Werner with a nice header. Sporting had a few other opportunities, but the final score remained 2-1.