KV Kortrijk still has its fate in its own hands. That is the most important thing to remember after a confusing, but not very high-quality match in the play-downs against KAS Eupen. For the Pandas, relegation is a fact.
Do or die. There was a lot at stake in the Guldenspoorstadion for both Kortrijk and KAS Eupen. The home team was able to jump over RWDM with a victory and thus keep its fate towards the jump-offs in its own hands. Afolabi was unable to attend due to an injury.
The visitors had to win if they wanted to have any chance of playing in the first division next season. Emond and Keita came into the team for Nuhu and Baiye, although Emond had to leave before half-time with an injury.
VAR takes a leading role
The VAR and match management would once again claim a huge leading role in the match. First there was a possible handball by Mehssatou, but the flag was flagged for offside and the VAR therefore did not give Eupen an eleven meter.
On the half hour, Boris Lambert was shown a yellow card, but this was changed to a red card at the request of central control in Tubize. As a result, the East Cantoners had to continue for an hour with one man less, a heavy sip on their drink.
And in the absolute final phase, the VAR called referee Nathan Verboomen to the screen for a possible foul by Mampassi on Charles-Cook, but the ref stuck to his original decision and did not give an eleven meter.
The match itself then? Kortrijk monopolized the ball in the first half, without too many opportunities. Just before half time, the home team was allowed to celebrate after a free header opportunity from Joao Silva after a free kick from Kadri.
In the second half, Kortrijk let their guard down and allowed Eupen to get into the match, although they seemed to have little claim to score a goal. In the end that didn’t happen and so it will be a long trip home for the Pandas. Kortrijk still has its fate in its own hands.
Tags: VAR referees claim leading roles Kortrijk fate hands relegation fact Eupen
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