Royal Antwerp has managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Croky Cup with some pain and effort. Coach Mark van Bommel's team faced a 0-2 deficit against Charleroi after half an hour of play, but managed to recover cleverly: 5-2. Vincent Janssen was important for this the Great Old by noting the 3-2 and 5-2. The former Dutch striker also played an important role in the 2-2.
The game at the Bosuil started extremely poorly for Antwerp, which had to concede a goal after 28 minutes. Arthur Vermeeren lost the ball, which led to a counterattack for the visitors. The ball ended up at the far post, where Oday Dabbagh was ready to score: 0-1.
Just three minutes after the opening goal it was already 0-2. While lying down, Nadir Benbouali was able to get the ball to Daan Heymans. The midfielder looked up and beautifully curled the ball past Antwerp goalie Senne Lammens.
Van Bommel then decided to take drastic action and bring in no fewer than three players, including Owen Wijndal. Janssen was one of the players who entered the field and the Dutchman saw how Chidera Ejuke, former star player of SC Heerenveen, scored the tying goal just before half time. The Nigerian convincingly knocked in a deflected cross from Michel-Ange Balikwisha: 1-2.
Ejuke's goal gave just that little bit of confidence that Van Bommel's team needed. After Janssen's shot deviated, Mehdi Boukamir unfortunately worked the ball into his own goal: 2-2. Antwerp pressed on and came close through Balikwisha, who saw his attempt saved by Hervé Koffi.
The liberating 3-2 would still fall. Jurgen Ekkelenkamp sent Janssen deep, who left Koffi without a chance with a crossed shot into the far corner. On the other hand, Toby Alderweireld was the saving angel for Antwerp by turning away a shot from Heymans before the line.
In the final phase, Antwerp cruised to a big victory. George Ilenikhena finished well after a combination with Balikwisha: 4-2. Charleroi seemed to come back for a moment, as it was awarded a penalty. However, Heymans came across Lemmens. On the other hand, Janssen scored his second of the evening, by taking the ball from Koffi and making the fifth of the evening childishly easy against the ropes: 5-2.