The Purple & White have taken 6 points out of 6 thanks to a 2-3 victory on the pitch of SV Zulte Waregem. Ryota Morioka and Lukasz Teodorczyk scored the goals on the last but one matchday of the regular competition. Essevee did their best to score the equalizer at the end, but RSCA stood their ground and seem to have found a good streak again.
Coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck selected the same starting line-up as last weekend against Excel Moeskroen. That choice was soon rewarded, after only two minutes of play, a centre by Appiah was finished off by Ryota Morioka. De fauw was dangerous for the home team with a free kick, but the goal was scored on the other side. First Morioka was not able to reach Gerkens, but two minutes later on the latter did provide Lukasz Teodorczyk with an assist. The Polish striker carefully placed the ball past Bossut and doubled the visiting team’s lead. Right before the thirtieth minute of play, Essevee fought back: Sels first saved a shot by Olayinka, Baudry put the 1-2 in on the following corner. That lead was short-lived, however, as Lukasz Teodorczy cleverly scored the 1-3 after 32 minutes. With that score, both teams went into the changing rooms after an exciting first half.
The pace of the first half was not continued in the second, no big chances were created. Saief found Morioka on the edge of the box at some point, but the Japanese player did not manage to fire. Saief and Gerkens were treated for injuries, but were able to finish the game. After 73 minutes, Walsh hit the side of the net on a cross by Kaya. Zulte Waregem did not give in and kept on pressuring the visitors, but an opportunity by Saponjic went across the goal and Baudry saw his second goal of the night rightfully disallowed because of offside. Five minutes before the end, Saponjic made the final stages of the match thrilling, he took advantage of mistakes by the Purple & White defence and put in the 2-3. At the end of the game, Olayinka was close to scoring the equalizer and goalie Bossut also came to the front when a free kick was taken, but the Purple & White kept their lead and hence three important points. Next Sunday, on 11 March, RSCA will complete the regular competition with a home match against Royal Antwerp FC.
RSCA: Matz Sels, Dennis Appiah, Uros Spajic, Leander Dendoncker, Ivan Obradovic, Kenny Saief, Sven Kums, Adrien Trebel (90+3’ Josué Sá), Ryota Morioka (79' Francis Amuzu), Pieter Gerkens & Lukasz Teodorczyk (89' Silvère Ganvoula)
Goals: 2' Morioka (0-1), 12' Teodorczyk (0-2), 28' Baudry (1-2), 32' Teodorczyk (1-3), 85' Saponjic (2-3)
