Belgian Pro League Review: Matchweek 5

Matchday five in the Belgian Pro League was a slightly reduced affair with European qualification campaigns reaching their climax. As a result, only five games took place across the country on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s fixtures: Cercle Brugge continue to fire while Sint Truiden remain unbeaten

After no goals in their opening three games, Cercle Brugge have now scored seven goals in just two games. The green and black half of Brugge beat Standard Liege 3-0, a result which has seen Mircea Rednic’s position as Standard head coach already coming under some scrutiny. 20-year-old French forward Steve Ngoura made it two goals in two games.

Sint Truiden took their unbeaten record to Zulte Waregem and ran out 2-0 winners thanks to second half goals from Rihito Yamamoto and another from on loan striker Keisuke Goto. They were given a helping hand by their hosts when Tobias Hedl was sent off just after half-time. In truth, Sint Truiden were worthy of the three points as Wouter Vrancken continues to have them playing well at both ends.

Sunday’s fixtures: RAAL rise to the occasion and OH Leuven finally win

Antwerp beat KV Mechelen 2-1 at home to kick things off on Sunday. Therence Koudou had grabbed his first goal for KV Mechelen after just 10 minutes but goals from Thibo Somers and a late Mahamadou Doumbia strike were enough to give Antwerp all three points. The Great Old remain unbeaten while at the same time ensuring KV Mechelen do not.

Newly promoted RAAL put in a spirited display against defending champions Union St Gilloise to earn a point. The game ended 0-0 thanks to some great goalkeeping from Marcos Peano. The 26-year-old from Argentina has impressed so far this season. Union remain unbeaten and will hope that Promise David did not suffer too severe an injury. The striker came on just after the hour mark but went off in the closing stages of the match.

Defender Ewoud Pletinckx scored the only goal of the game as OH Leuven finally got three points on the board. The side won 1-0 against Dender and kept their first clean sheet of the season. Clearly there are still issues up front, but David Hubert will be relieved to have finally gotten three points on the board. Dender are now the only side without a win from the opening five games.

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