Belgium round-up: Late surge boosts Brugge
Sunday, May 11, 2003
Article summary
Sporting Lokeren St-Niklaas Waaslan's UEFA Cup bid was hit by a 5-2 defeat by KV Club Brugge.
Article body
With KV Club Brugge confirmed as Belgian First Division winners, and RSC Anderlecht sure to join them in the UEFA Champions League, the focus has now switched to the contest for third place and a UEFA Cup berth.
Champions score five
Sporting Lokeren St-Niklaas Waaslan currently hold that place, but their campaign was set back with a 5-2 defeat at home by Brugge. Lokeren seemed to be heading for victory as goals from Runar Kristinsson and Arnar Gretarsson, despite a reply from Nastje Ceh, gave them a half-time led they held until the 72nd minute. But then Andrés Mendoza scored twice in a two-minute spell, and Sandy Martens and Bengt Saeternes both added further goals for the champions.
Sint-Truiden close in
Belgian Cup finalists K. Sint Truidense VV are within four points of Lokeren with two games left following a 2-1 win against K. Lierse SK. Bram van Geel and Desire Mbonabucya scored to put Sint-Truiden two ahead by the 26-minute mark, and although Lauren Delorge pulled one back seconds after the break, there was no way back for Lierse.
Genk in running
KRC Genk are also still in the running after a 1-0 win at R. Standard de Liège. Genk were on the back foot for much of the game, but claimed a winner on the counterattack four minutes from time through Thomas Chatelle.
Mechelen beat nine men
Already relegated KV Mechelen secured a 1-0 win against KAA Gent thanks to Marco Nys's eleventh-minute goal - and the sendings-off of Madjid Adjaoud Jacky Peeters in the second half. Toni Brogno's double gave KVC Westerlo a 2-1 victory against R. Antwerp FC, while Sint-Truiden's final opponents RAA Louviéroise drew 2-2 with R. Charleroi FC. KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen overcame ten-man R. AEC Mons 4-0 and KSK Beveren beat R. Excelsior Mouscroun, who also had a player dismissed, 3-0.
Cercle celebrate
If Brugge's success was not enough for the city, their sister club KSV Cercle Brugge gained promotion as Second Division champions with a 2-1 win at home to KFC Dessel Sport. Bruges now have two top-flight clubs for the first time in six years.
