On match day 15 of the Challenger Pro League, Zulte Waregem achieved a thrilling 1-2 victory over Lommel SK, bolstering their position at the top of the league standings. The match showcased the resilience of the Waregem team, coming back from an early setback to capture all three points.
After going behind briefly, Zulte Waregem opened the scoring at Soevereinstadion through striker Abdoulaye Traoré, who found the net after 36 minutes, following an insightful pass from Stavros Gavriel. Fans celebrated the early lead, but their joy was short-lived as Diego Rosa equalized for Lommel just two minutes later, bringing the scoreline back to level terms.
The second half saw tensions rise, particularly for the home side as they lost Henry Owari to a red card, forcing Lommel to play out the final minutes with only ten men. Zulte Waregem seized upon this advantage. Deep in injury time, it was Matheus Machado, making his second appearance after four months out due to injury, who secured the victory with the winning goal, sending the traveling supporters wild with excitement.
This win was particularly significant for Zulte Waregem as they reclaimed the leadership of the Challenger Pro League, having been temporarily knocked to second place by La Louvière. With this victory, Zulte Waregem now sits atop the league with 34 points from 14 matches, marking them as strong contenders for the title.
Coach Sven Vandenbroeck commented on the match after it concluded, highlighting the difficulties his team faced throughout the contest. "I saw the first half between two teams who wanted to play technically, but created few chances. Then, suddenly, within two minutes, we scored beautifully but faced their equalizer. The second half saw us gain balance as we pressed forward," Vandenbroeck said.
Referring to Machado's contribution, Vandenbroeck expressed his relief and happiness: "I am very glad Machado was able to score the winning goal after four months of injury. It showcases the strength of our group. Everyone is part of this story."
With the top of the table becoming increasingly competitive, Zulte Waregem’s next matches will be pivotal. La Louvière remains close, and with momentum on their side, the pressure will be on Zulte Waregem to maintain their lead and continue their dominance in the Challenger Pro League.
For now, the excitement surrounding Zulte Waregem's performance is palpable, as they look to build on this victory and fend off any challengers hoping to dethrone them from the top spot. With the league tightening, every match and every point will count as they push toward the season's conclusion.
