First team 24/07/2022

The Groen-Zwart stumble at 't Kuipje (2-0)

Cercle closed the opening matchday of the 2022-2023 season with a trip to promoted side Westerlo. De Kemphanen have a lot of experience at home and could also count on an enthusiastic home crowd. Popovic received his second yellow card after half an hour and just before half-time, Daci opened the score for the hosts. It was an ideal scenario, and our Groen-Zwart had to chase the match after the break. The best chances came for the home team, who were making good use of the extra space. Just before full time, Vetokele would double the lead, making 2-0 the final score.

Dominik Thalhammer handed a start to new Cercle striker Ayase Ueda to the start of the season, while at the back Warleson started in goal after the departure of Thomas Didillon. Overall, though, the Groen-Zwart eleven consisted of names that would be familiar from last season.

The second division champion also kicked off with a well-oiled team, as only their experienced goalkeeper Bolat was a new face; all of the outfield players had played for the Kemphanen last year.

Westerlo started the game well, spurred on by their many home fans. Dierckx and Vaesen tested Warleson with the first shots on target, but he was up to the task. Just before halfway through the 1st half, Popovic lunged into a duel on the halfway line. He immediately got his first yellow, and then, on the half hour, the Serb received his second after a hard tackle on Van Eenoo.

Thus, Cercle had to play with ten men for more than an hour. Westerlo then went full on in attack and three minutes before half-time, Daci was able to score on a pass from Jordanov. Warleson dove for the shot, but the Turkish striker aimed the ball high into the goal.

Cercle had to change things up after the break and played with more forward intent. However, this ensured that Westerlo was given more space. An industrious Van den Keybus in particular made good use of this, but he was unable to finish his chances and Warleson also showed himself to be very sharp in goal. Foster, who had just come on, was able to beat the Brazilian goalkeeper, but did so from an offside position.

And so it was exciting until the very end. The best chance for Cercle came for substitute Deman, but he after getting the ball from Vanhoutte his shot was well over Bolat's goal. In the last minute of added time, two substitutes would decide the match. Bernat saw Vetokele in behind the defense and placed the ball perfectly onto the foot of the ex-Cercle striker who tapped in with a soft touch.

Next week, our Groen-Zwart will host Anderlecht as we look for a first victory of the 2022-2023 season.

Westerlo: Bolat, Perdichizzi (Tagir 88'), Van Eenoo, De Cuyper, Vaesen (Foster 64'), Daci (Vetokele 88'), Seigers, Jordanov, Neustaedter, Van den Keybus and Dierckx (Bernat 81')

Cercle: Warleson, Miangue (Torres 83'), Decostere, Daland, Popovic, Da Silva Lopes, Van der Bruggen (Vanhoutte 60'), Hotic, Ueda, Somers (Deman 60) and Denkey (Utkus 34')

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Standard top Cercle with two penalties | 2-0

With three points from six from the first two matchdays, Cercle headed to the Stade de Sclessin hungry for a result. Standard needed the points as well, after only a draw from their first two matches. Both teams fought for every blade of grass in a physical match in Liège. Amallah, with two penalties in the first half, was the key man in the match, as the Rouches' creative midfielder converted both flawlessly.

Dominik Thalhammer had brought on Popovic (back from suspension) in place of the injured Utkus and in attack Denkey was preferred to Ueda.

Match report 07/08/2022

Match report: A strong Cercle beats RSCA

After an excellent performance at home against Anderlecht, Cercle had what was a deserved victory. Despite several good chances, the Groen-Zwart, who gave Anderlecht no chances to speak of, were unable to translate what was a good first half into a lead. It wasn't until halfway through the second half, when Anderlecht started to leave space, that Cercle rewarded themselves with a fine goal by left back Louis Torres.

After a frustrating performance at Westerlo, our Groen-Zwart looked to rebound against Anderlecht. Cercle immediately put pressure on the visitors, taking the initiative. After a good quarter of an hour, Ueda, who had already had a chance, put the ball in the net. Referee Boterberg, however, had seen a foul in the build-up and the goal was waved off. Anderlecht had great difficulty getting to grips with Cercle's play and did not create a single chance before the break. In addition, Ishaq was sent off on the visitors' part. However, Cercle also failed to reward themselves on the scoreboard, despite their strong play. Van Crombrugge saved a header from Da Silva and pushed a free kick by Hotic behind for a corner. Then, when the Anderlecht goalkeeper was beaten on an attempt by Deman, Trebel was in the right place to clear the ball off the line.

The pace of the game from the first half remained unchanged in the initial phases of the second. Anderlecht, though, who had been up to this point somewhat toothless, suddenly created a huge chance: a cross from Raman was headed by Amuzu off the bottom of the crossbar. Cercle, on the other hand, failed to convert their dominance into any strong opportunities and seemed to be having a harder time against Anderlecht in the last quarter of the match. That is, until Torres found his shooting boots. The summer recruit started from his position at left back, advanced and found the goal after a one-two with Deman to get past Van Crombrugge. A brilliant goal! Anderlecht tried to get back into the match, while Cercle failed to take advantage of the space that opened up. There were no real chances at either end, though, and Cercle kept a richly deserved three points.

Cercle Brugge: Majecki, Decostere, Utkus (Ravych 38'), Daland, Torres, Da Silva, Van Der Bruggen (Vanhoutte 78'), Hotic (Denkey 78'), Somers, Deman (Sampers 86') and Ueda.

Anderlecht: Van Crombrugge, Delcroix, Hoedt, Debast, Ishaq, Amuzu (Angulo 84'), Ashimeru (Fabio Silva 46'), Trebel, Verschaeren (Arnstad 59'), Esposito (Refaelov 71') and Raman (Sadiki 59')

Goal: Torres 76' (1-0, assist Deman)

Match report 30/07/2022