Club Brugge did not manage to get anything on the field of Antwerp. After half an hour of play, things were looking very good with a 0-2 lead thanks to goals by Mata and Vanaken, but Blauw-Zwart could not get a result due to a goal in the very last minute. Club loses 3-2 and thus has to return empty-handed from at Antwerp.
Rik De Mil made two substitutions compared to last week's starting eleven against Union. Spileers and Sandra had to give up their places to Sylla and Odoi. Coach De Mil opted for a bit more body and experience on the field to face Antwerp. With success, because after only 1 minute of play the renewed starting eleven already took the lead. A sharply cut cross from Noa Lang went to the far post, where Clinton Mata suddenly appeared and was able to push the ball against the ropes. A dream start for Blauw-Zwart on the field of Antwerp.
Club loses to Antwerp 3-2 in extremis
After the goal, Club was first able to continue on its momentum, but without any real chances. Antwerp's pressure obviously increased, resulting in an excellent chance for Janssen, but the ball was excellently cleared by Sylla. On the quarter hour Club again came to a smooth combination with Rits at the cannon, but goalkeeper Butez could save the distance shot. The home team did try to create away chances, but Club was able to control the game quite easily.
Blue-Black also maintained its monopoly on shots inside frame. More so, it also remained by far the most dangerous team. In minute 23, Blue-Black struck a second time. Noa Lang painted a corner onto the head of Hans Vanaken, tying his second assist of the afternoon, 0-2. With that goal, Vanaken also became all-time top shooter in Play-Off 1 with 23.
The double deficit was also the signal for Antwerp coach Van Bommel to intervene. Keita had to step aside in disappointment for Calvin Stengs. An offensive change that paid off 10 minutes later. A free kick landed at the feet of Vincent Janssen, who scored the 1-2. That was also the score at halftime. The pace did pick up after Antwerp's counter-goal, but that did not result in any major chances.
After the break, Blauw-Zwart immediately came up again. A shot by Jutglà went towards Butez, but could not trouble the goalkeeper. It immediately made the Spaniard's and Club's intentions clear. Unfortunately for the former, he could not continue that trend. The striker sat down and could not continue. Enter Romeo Vermant who could immediately be dangerous in his first action. Although it was Antwerp that became increasingly dangerous and also had an excellent chance for the equalizer through Janssen, but the Dutchman completely missed his header.
The pressure from the home side continued to increase, but Club also had its moments. A good move by Mata went straight to the on-rushing Meijer, but the Dutchman's header lacked direction. Blauw-Zwart could not do much more in return, as Antwerp kept developing pressure on the visitors' half. Even though Club continued to play organised soccer.
Five minutes before time, Club had to give up. Substitute Gyrano Kerk accelerated on the right flank and crossed the ball past Mignolet, 2-2. After that, Club seemed to hold on to the point against Antwerp, but the devil was in the tail. In the absolute final minute, Blauw-Zwart had to give away a corner kick. It could not be handled well and ended up at the feet of Vermeeren, who made it 3-2 in the absolute final minute, a very hard uppercut for Blauw-Zwart that saw a strong first half and a 0-2 lead slip out of its hands.
Champions' Play-Offs - Playday 3
Spectators: 16,000 - Bosuilstadion
Referee: Nathan Verboomen
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Clinton Mata (75' Casper Nielsen), Brandon Mechele, Abakar Sylla (75' Jorne Spileers), Bjorn Meijer - Mats Rits (90' Cisse Sandra), Raphaël Onyedika, Hans Vanaken, Dennis Odoi - Noa Lang (90' Antonio Nusa), Ferran Jutglà (51' Romeo Vermant). Bench: Josef Bursik, Nick Shinton, Kyriani Sabbe, Roman Yaremchuk. Coach: Rik De Mil.
Antwerp: Jean Butez - Jelle Bataille, Toby Alderweireld, Willian Pacho (68' Zeno Van Den Bosch), Gastón Ávila - Arbnor Muja (68' Gyrano Kerk), Mandela Keita (26' Calvin Stengs), Jürgen Ekkelenkamp (81' Alhassan Yusuf), Arthur Vermeeren - Michel-Ange Balikwisha (81' Christopher Scott), Vincent Janssen. Bank: Ortwin De Wolf, Kobe Corbanie. Coach: Marc van Bommel.
Yellow cards: Pacho, Lang, Sylla, Meijer, Nielsen.
Red cards: none
Goals: 2' Mata (0-1), 23' Vanaken (0-2), 36' Janssen (1-2), 86' Kerk (2-2), 97' Vermeeren (3-2)