Daan Heymans scored the only goal of the game. — © BELGA
Sporting Charleroi took a giant step in the battle for retention on Sunday evening. An early goal (14′) from Daan Heymans was enough for the Carolos to beat KAS Eupen at home. Charleroi thus strengthens their leading position in the Relegation Play-offs and is again six points ahead of RWDM, which won against Kortrijk.
Charleroi had the home advantage, but Eupen had already proven that it could score points against the Zebras. In the regular competition, both teams had kept the points against each other at home, a three-pointer was valuable for both teams. RWDM had already increased the pressure with a hard-fought victory at KV Kortrijk (2-4).
The Carolos started strongly with an early goal from Daan Heymans as a reward. On the fifteen minute mark, Zorgane blasted a free kick straight onto goal from an oblique angle. Eupen goalkeeper Slonina was initially able to keep the ball out of his cage, but Heymans was quick to score the 1-0 from close range.
Heymans celebrates the 1-0. — © BELGA
Eupen’s American goalkeeper prevented things from getting worse in the first half for the Pandas, who were very weak. Heymans had three to four attempts to increase his goal tally, but, like teammate Dabbagh, he collided with a strong goalkeeper Slonina.
In the second half, the Hainaut spectators saw the same game image. The visitors had to suffer the match and were lucky that Dabbagh’s 2-0 was disallowed for offside. Partly due to new saves from Slonina, it remained nail-biting for the Charleroi supporters, who could only breathe freely at the final whistle.
Charleroi now has 36 points in the play-downs and thus maintains its six-point lead over first pursuer RWDM. Kortrijk and Eupen lag behind with 25 points.
Emond and co. drip off. — © BELGA