In a thrilling display of determination and skill, Westerlo triumphed over Dender in a match that had everything: twists, turns, and a total of four penalties. The final score of 4-2 not only showcased the home team’s resilience but also kept their hopes alive for European football next season.
The drama began early in the match when Dender was awarded a penalty just three minutes in. Tuur Rommens was deemed to have handled the ball during a free kick, a decision that sparked controversy as many felt he was merely protecting his face. Bruny Nsimba stepped up to take the penalty but shockingly missed, sending the ball soaring over the crossbar and leaving Dender fans in disbelief.
Despite the early setback, Dender maintained pressure and took the lead in the 37th minute. Roman Kvet, assisted by Hrncar, found the back of the net with a well-placed shot, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage. This goal came amidst a flurry of missed opportunities for both teams, as Westerlo struggled to convert their chances.
Westerlo equalized just before halftime when Allahyar Sayyadmanesh converted a penalty after Ruyssen was penalized for a handball. With the score tied at 1-1, both teams headed into the break with the match finely poised.
The second half saw Dender regain the lead in the 62nd minute when Nsimba redeemed himself by scoring from the spot after being fouled by Westerlo's goalkeeper Andreas Jungdal. This put Dender ahead 2-1, and they looked set to capitalize on their momentum.
However, the home side was not to be outdone. In a stunning display of skill, Matija Frigan leveled the score again in the 76th minute. He dribbled past several defenders before unleashing a powerful shot that found the roof of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
With the match still hanging in the balance, Westerlo was awarded another penalty in the 88th minute when Haspolat was fouled in the box. Griffin Yow stepped up and confidently converted, giving Westerlo a 3-2 lead. The tension was palpable as the clock ticked down.
In the dying moments of the match, Serhiy Sydorchuk sealed the victory for Westerlo with a goal in the 90+6 minute, capitalizing on a counter-attack and slotting the ball home to make it 4-2. The home fans erupted in celebration as their team secured a vital three points.
Matija Frigan, who was instrumental in the comeback, expressed his satisfaction after the match: “I don’t know what to say, I feel good but not just because of my goal. It was a good match, although the first half was less. We ended the game in the best possible way.”
Dender's goalkeeper Michael Verrips lamented the missed opportunities: “There was definitely more in this match for us. Based on the entire game, we could have won, but we didn’t finish our chances and gave away goals.”
Westerlo's coach, Timmy Simons, praised his team's performance, noting the challenges they faced: “After such a match, it’s great to see the boys enjoy it because it was a tough game with goals we shouldn’t have conceded, penalties that were questionable... We played openly, just like Dender, and in the end, we made sure we were on the right side.”
Reflecting on the penalties awarded during the match, Simons added, “It was certainly not an end-of-season match. You can see during training that the boys are still going full throttle, and that’s how you get games like this.”
As the match concluded, Westerlo remained just three points behind league leaders Sporting Charleroi, who are set to face Standard soon. Meanwhile, Dender, currently in fourth place in the Conference League play-offs, will need to regroup as they look to secure their position in the coming matches.
The upcoming clash between Westerlo and Charleroi on May 9, 2025, promises to be crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot in European competition. With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect another thrilling encounter.
In summary, Westerlo’s victory not only highlighted their fighting spirit but also reinforced their ambition for European football, while Dender will be left to ponder their missed chances and how to turn their fortunes around in the remaining fixtures.
