Anderlecht 1 - 2 UZ (373071495)

The weather was pretty good, and a crowd of 12091 had shown up at Constant Vandenstock stadion for the match. Raúl Carriquí was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Oscar Matilla and Steve Hollenbach. Anderlecht decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players took the field: Hurkmans - Ingemarsson, Abbing, Colmenero - Caubergh, Goekint, Lalmand, Daens, Laenens - van Hemert, Kurttekin.

UZ tactics involved an interesting 4-3-3 combination. Starters: Laurier - Vander Taelen, Brandão, Van Wesemael, Lasser - De Grijse, Wullens, Pedersen - Collard, Tarquini, Perin.

Anderlecht displayed their ability to play creatively. Pressing was the tactic of the day for UZ. 0 - 1 was the score with 24 minutes played, after J. Vander Taelen cut through the central defence and chipped home a goal for UZ. At this time in the match, UZ were using their skill at pressing to successfully stifle the game. UZ came close to extending their lead as O. Perin delivered a low effort on goal from the right after 41 minutes, but the angle was too narrow and the shot went harmlessly into the side netting. Anderlecht's T. Daens was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 44 minutes. 0 - 1 was the score after the first half. Possession in this half belonged to Anderlecht, who controlled the ball 53 percent of the time.

The crowd was on its feet 60 minutes into the match, as Anderlecht's Z. van Hemert found himself unmarked in front of the goal after a dash up the left side. He calmly put away the 1 - 1 equaliser. After several obvious shirt pulling incidents, G. Caubergh got himself booked. The manager of Anderlecht was not happy. After 63 minutes, UZ's G. Wullens made his way through the middle and nonchalantly placed the ball out of the keeper's reach, putting the visitors up 1 - 2. UZ's talent at pressing frustrated the spectators as the game became a dire midfield struggle. Anderlecht enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 57 percent of possession.

P. Goekint performed admirably for Anderlecht. A. Abbing turned in a dismal performance, however. UZ's top performer was clearly T. Tarquini. D. Laurier was a disappointment, however. The match ends 1 - 2.