Anderlecht Secure Place In Final Against Ten Player Belgrade

RSC Anderlecht secured their place in Saturday’s final with a 4-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade. The Belgians fully capitalised on an early sending off through goals by Stefania Vatafu and Laura Deloose. Amelie Delabre and Luna Vanzeir wrapped things up in the second half, before Nina Matejic grabbed one for Red Star Belgrade late on.

Team Selections

Anderlecht’s Dennis Moerman kept faith in much of the line-up that triumphed in the Belgian Super League last weekend. Aude Waldbillig started in goal, protected by a back-line of Laura Deloose, Silke Vanwynsberghe, captain Laura De Neve and Nikki Ijzerman. Stefania Vatafu partnered Senna Koeleman in midfield, while Luna Vanzeir supported Amelie Delabre in attack. Sarah Wijnants and Maxime Bennink provided the width.

Red Star Belgrade’s Bojan Macesic started with Roksana Shahanska in goal. The initial formation consisted of a back-line with captain Tijana Djordevic and Ana Scepanovic and Andela Milovanovic in defence, while Nina Cavic and Milica Saric provided width. In midfield Dajana Spasojevic, accompanied Sofija Sremcevic and Mirela Tenkov. Philomena Abakah supported Nina Matejic in attack.

How It Unfolded

Red Star Belgrade’s debut in the competition started off on the worst possible note as Anderlecht launched a ball over the top to release Amelie Delabre behind the defence. She was clipped by Belgrade’s captain Tijana Djordevic, to whom the referee brandished a straight red, with just three minutes expired on the match clock. Stefania Vatafu tried her luck from the free-kick, aiming for the far right post but overhitting the target.

Red Star Belgrade’s Bojan Macesic responded to his team falling down to ten by retreating Mirela Tenkov into the back-line. However, it did not take long for Anderlecht to break the deadlock. Sarah Wijnants played a low ball from the left wing to find Stefania Vatafu arriving just outside the penalty box, completely unmarked. She struck with power to find the back of the net, despite Roksana Shahanska getting something on it.

Despite the game becoming extremely one-sided, Red Star Belgrade’s Nina Matejic managed to win the ball in midfield to get her team forward for the first time. She found Sofija Sremcevic on the left wing, but Anderlecht forced the error to win possession.

Anderlecht continued to command play, doubling their lead in the 19th minute. Senna Koeleman surged forward into the byline, before cutting back the pass to the arriving Laura Deloose. She struck a low shot that snuggled into the bottom right corner.

Red Star Belgrade managed to earn themselves some opportunities through set-pieces. Milica Saric launched a corner attempting to find Nina Matejic at the far post but the kick had just a bit too much height on for the young forward to get something on it.

Anderlecht continued to press on in search for more, denied a third on the half hour mark through Ana Scepanovic who cleared from the line. Matters became worse for Red Star Belgrade as Mirela Tenkov clashed with Roksana Shahanska with the goalkeeper needing treatment as a result of the clash.

Still the goalkeeper made an important diving save as the Belgian team’s Senna Koeleman attempted to help on a delivery from Nikki Ijzerman. Red Star Belgrade survived the resulting corner, before launching into attack a few minutes later through Sofija Sremcevic.

Although unable to put the ball into the box, the forward dart injected some belief into the side as the half drew to a close. Nina Matejic made another forward carry, riding the challenge before trying to slip the same Sofija Sremcevic behind the defence, but the number ten was called back for offside.

Half-Time Score: Anderlecht 2 – 0 Red Star Belgrade

Both coaches made changes at the break. Dennis Moerman made a swap on the left wing, bringing on Laurie Teinturier, who replaced Maxime Bennink. Meanwhile, Bojan Macesic was forced into a change in goal, bringing on Nevena Eremic for Roksana Shahanska. Meanwhile, there was a swap in midfield, with Philomena Abakah replaced by Andela Toskovic.

The Serbian side made a strong start, looking to go direct to Nina Matejic through Mirela Tenkov. Belgrade’s number seven was once again successful in shrugging off the physical challenge, but her attempt to link with Sofija Sremcevic lacked the necessary accuracy.

The two linked well a few minutes later, with Sremcevic helping it on to the arriving Dajana Spasojevic who called Aude Waldbillig into action, parrying it for a corner. However, Laura Deloose rose to defend well for the Belgian side.

Anderlecht responded with the third goal in the 58th minute. Amelie Delabre towered in the box, to head home Sarah Wijnants’ whipped ball.

Despite this, Belgrade continued finding positive drives, with Nina Matejic successfully darting up the left wing, before linking with Dajana Spasojevic. This time she aimed for the far left corner, but pulled it wide.

More changes ensued with goalscorer Stefana Vatagu making way for Marie Minnaert for Anderlecht. Belgrade made a double switch shortly after, with Ivana Malijar and Margarita Vasovic taking to the pitch in replacement of Sofija Sremcevic and Milica Saric.

Aude Waldbillig collected from a free-kick delivery from Dajana Spasojevic before sending her team forward. The Belgians made it four through Luna Vanzeir who placed into the bottom right corner from close range.

More changes ensued with Tine De Caigny and Fanny Rossi taking to the pitch for Anderlecht, in replacement of Sarah Wijnants and Senna Koeleman, before Laura De Neve gave way to Fran Meersman.

Anderlecht kept up the chase for more, creating three more major opportunities in the box in the final ten minutes, forcing another big clearance from Mirela Tenkov, while Nevena Emeric parried away Marie Minnaert’s strike in the 90th minute.

However, having fought so hard to get her team forward, Nina Matejic finally earned her goal to send Red Star Belgrade with something on the scoreboard for Saturday’s third place play-off. The Serbian was once again successful in riding the challenges thrown at her, before swiping a boot from a tight angle to find the back of the net from close range, despite being pulled down in progress.

Final Score: RSC Anderlecht 4 – 1 Red Star Belgrade

Next Matches

RSC Anderlecht will next face Birkirkara in Saturday’s final showdown, which will kick-off at 21:15 at the Centenary Stadium.

On the other hand, Red Star Belgrade will seek to earn a first victory in the competition, in the third-place play off which will be played on the same day and venue, against Breznica Pljevlja, starting at 17:45.

Lead Image: Brandon Bonett

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