On Thursday, Royal Antwerp narrowed the gap with leader KRC Genk to one point again. Mark van Bommel’s team managed to put KV Oostende aside after last weekend’s blow against Standard Luik (3-0 loss): it became 3-0 in the Bosuil stadium. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp was the big man at Antwerp with a goal and assist, while Vincent Janssen also made himself felt. Calvin Stengs made the trio Dutch in the basis of the Great Old completely.
A dramatic first nine minutes killed Antwerp last Sunday. Goals from William Balikshwa, Denis Dragus and Cihan anak determined the 3-0 final score. As a result, Antwerp, which did not lose a single point in the first nine rounds, suddenly had to leave the lead to Genk. The Smurfs made no mistake on Wednesday against Westerlo (6-1); Van Bommel knew what he and his team had to do.
After just under three minutes, the opening goal was already in the net. Janssen put the ball wide on Ritchie de Laet, who had come up with him, who did not hesitate and aimed the leather brilliantly into the intersection. The visitors were not involved and seemed to have to allow the 2-0 halfway through the first company. However, De Laet saw his second of the evening disallowed due to offside by – again – declarant Janssen. The club’s top scorer of the Great Old himself, however, did not have his sights set on sharp focus. He had several opportunities for a goal just before half-time, but failed to increase his season total.
Almost immediately after the tea, Antwerp was released with a fright. Ostend midfielder Cameron McGeehan, just like De Laet, saw a line through his goal just before, leaving the 1-0 on the scoreboard. Ekkelenkamp brought Antwerp redemption moments later. Janssen cleared the way well, allowing the midfielder to surprise direct opponent Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and work at the far post: 2-0. Janssen saw competitor Michael Frey provide the final score from the bench. The striker, brought in after seventy minutes, broke free after a pass from Ekkelenkamp, and remained face to face with Ostend goalkeeper Dillon Phillips.