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A Liege of their own!

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A brief introduction
With FM11's new feature of league reputations, Ive decided to raise the reputation of the Belgian Pro League rather than my first choice of Liga Sagres (Portugal) because ive already been in that league very successfully on FM10 with Sporting CP where i stayed for 9 years and entered the Hall of Fame. That is pretty much my aim in the Belgian Pro League but i want to explore how good of a reputation i can get at my chosen destination. As you may have guest from the name, The team i have chosen is STANDARD LIEGE!

The Game Begins
Loaded leagues and nations include England, League 2 and above and Belgium, Second League and above with a Large Database.

Budget, £1.7m for a Continental finish
Belgian Pro League - 3 stars

Standard Liege: A Background


More recently Standard Liege finished 8th in the 09-10 season and go without a spot in Europe, This is time for recovery as Chris Saunt is unveiled as boss in June 2009. Piled with debt the club needs change. Saunt has got a difficult task ahead.

 
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Getting to grips (Pre-Season)
5 Pre-season warm up friendly matches have been set for Chris Saunt to get to know his team and to gain match fitness. Their is a good base for a good team at Standard Liege with Axel Witsel and Steven Defour thought to be key players. Here is how pre-season went ...

Tongeren 1 - 3 Standard Liege
Standard Liege 3 - 1 Juventus
Dessel 1 - 0 Standard Liege
Bleid 0 - 2 Standard Liege

Fixture Review
A very exciting win for Liege fans at home to Italian giants Juventus but dissapointing that the form couldnt be continued against Dessel.

Transfers In/Out


 
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A new season begins (August)
So with Boyata on loan back to his native country and exciting signing from the world cup Prince Tagoe things look in good shape for a good start to the season.

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STVV 0 - 2 Standard Liege
STVV started very well but despite playing attackingly very well Standard got through to Half Time at 0-0. A sending off for STVV sparked a Liege performance. Cyriac Gohi Bi came off the bench to put Standard ahead and not too much more time passed by before Mbaye Leye did the same thing coming off the bench to double the lead. A great start away from home.


Standard 2 - 0 Cercle Brugge
Standard's first home game of the Pro League season and it started like a house on fire with Mohammed Tchite scoring on 17 minutes. A Mehdi Carcela Free Kick after half hour nearly doubled their lead but it hit the paint work. Mohammed Tchite did put Standard 2-0 before half time with a goal on 42.
It was an uneventful 2nd half, 2-0 to Liege.


Standard 1 - 0 Germinal Beerschot
A Prince Tagoe debut goal 22' got the game off to a good start. But in the 2nd half both sides exchanged chances without troubling the keepers too much and late) pressure from Germinal Beerschot nearly grabbed half the points but Liege win.


Zulte Waregem 1 - 3 Standard
The Standard fans had barely arrived before goals from Carcela 2', Daerden 5' gave them a truly extrodinary start. The game swung after that though when Victor Ramos got sent off 22'. Despite being pinned back by Zulte Waregem Witsel scored a pen 41'. 3-0 at Half Time. Zulte's press for a goal came just after the break 47' but 10 men hold for a win.


Standard 0 - 1 Lokeren
A 4' goal from Lokeren and Standard didnt recover. No shots on target despite changes it didnt work. A damaging end to what was a brilliant August for Liege but none the less a strong start in the recovery season.
 
Smart layout and a clever title. A good start in the league, unlucky against Lokeren though.
Keep it up
 
Smart layout and a clever title. A good start in the league, unlucky against Lokeren though.
Keep it up

Thank you mate, Ive actually got September ready to put up now but ive got a driving lesson in half hour and it'll be abit rushed so ill post it on about half 9. Theres a league table on that 1 aswel as i forgot for August.
 
Building for the season ahead (September)
A bump down to earth on the last game of August but strong. A good month in September and as the table takes shape would really benefit a title challenge.

Charleroi 0 - 2 Standard
Liege started the game with a quick tempo and but for Charleroi defending well the lead would have came earlier but when Aarob got himself sent off for Charleroi Axel Witsel used the space created in midfield to really start pulling the strings and it was his through ball to Mehdi Carcela who slotted home on 17' to give them a goal advantage. On 32' Carcela again latched onto a Axel Witsel through ball and it was 2-0. Carcela got injured on 57' as Liege cruise to victory.


Standard 2 - 1 Genk
Genk's reputation promised a better standard of game but that wasnt to be as it was 0-0 at HT with Standard creating the better chances. It wasnt until the 70th until Standard found the net and it was from a scrappy corner which was eventually laid off by Nong for Defour to drill home from outside box. A nightmare in the 90th minute when Genk pulled level with a 90 min penalty equaliser. Saunt through everybody up seeking a winner for Liege and the bravery paid off when 90+3 dramatic late header from CB Filipe got Liege all 3 points.


Lierse 0 - 1 Standard
A drab game until Carcela got sent off in injury time of the first half. Standard a man down took the lead on 52 with a header from Boyata at a corner, DeJaVu of the late winner against Genk. Liege then shut up shut up shop for another hard fought victory on the road.


Standard 3 - 4 Club Brugge
Club Brugge is a name everyone knows from Belgium and a high finish for them looked likely after this smashing win. Stijnen (OG) 11' gave Standard a 1-0 lead but for Biemans 14' Brugge pull level. Brugge then went infront through Kouemaha 21' - Brugge 2-1. Goreux bundled home to pull back Brugge to 2-2. That was the end of Brugge when Dirar 37' gave Brugge 3-2. He then scored again to put some daylight in the scoreline. Game Over! Yes but not after Goreux put them back in it on 86 but a win for Brugge.

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More of the Same (October)
August and September have ended in bizarre fashion. The battle with Anderlecht is really warming up. Dont you just love football!

Eupen 0 - 2 Standard
Mehdi Carcela was playing left wing today rather than the right due to Goreux's form in the last match. Mehdi Carcela was winning the battle of the wings as he scored on 35'. Victor Ramos steered in a corner from the right on 44' to make it 2-0. Eupen striker Freddy Mombongo causing problems but 0-2 at HT. A number of chances for Liege to make it 3 but a win. Eupen stay bottom of the Pro League.

Standard 1 - 0 AA Gent
Lots of chances for Liege with Les Rouches playing some outstanding football. It was 0-0 at half time but 59' Dedryck Boyata grabbed a goal from a Carcela FK Assist. Tagoe through on goal took out by Mamadou Doumbia and subsiquently sent off 90+2'. The free-kick wasted but Liege dominated playing outstanding football for a 1-0 victory.

Westerlo 1 - 1 Standard
Paulo Henrique is one of the most feared strikers in the Pro League 10-11. And on 29 minutes he scored to Standard's shock as they had the better of the match so far. It took until the 84th minute for Standard to level, Mehdi Carcela with Liege's rescue goal. Not a great match but Standard avoid defeat.

(Belgian Cup 6th Round)
Sint-Gillis Waas 0 - 4 Standard
Non-League opposition for Standard in the cup and que the changes. Ramos kept his place at centre half and scored on 8 minutes from a corner. Luigi Pieroni has been handed a rare start and Goreux's peach through-ball got Pieroni in to score. Another corner and Filipe 31' scored for 3-0. Luigi Pieroni doubled his tally after Carcela throughed him in. 4-0 at the break. Yet another dull 2nd half after a football treat in the first from Liege but a rotated Standard Liege side dominate for win. It never looked in doubt.

Standard 2 - 0 KV Kortrijk
KV Kortrijk have lost their last 3 games in Pro League and after 8' Victor Ramos carried on his fantastic scoring run from corner's to the far post. Koen Daerden added to the scoreline just before half-time. The 2nd half was a forgettable one but 3 more points for Liege.
Finally an unbeaten month, A massive game up next for Standard as they face Anderlecht. A battle of the giants.

 
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Players Performance Review
Theyre have been some stand out achievers in the first few months at Standard Liege and the top 3 are as follows.

Mehdi Carcela
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Absolutely unstoppable from either wing or alternatively through the middle. A cultured left foot with an outstanding free-kick. Hes got pace, runs at players with a beautiful cross. Still at a young age, A graduate of the Standard Liege academy.

Victor Ramos
View attachment 124947
A complete defender. Best at center half but can adjust to right back. A real threat from corners and a born leader. Hes took Boyata under his wing and hes blossomed because of Ramos' reliability.

Sinan Bolat
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8 clean sheets in 13 matchs so far says it all. Great concentration to stay alert as Standard dominate in the oppositions half 75% of the time. Everything you want from a goalkeeper, a good shot stopper, commands his box well.
 
Your doing well. What sort of formation and tactics are you using? I had started a game as Standard but never really got going. If i remember correctly all of their right wingers where out on long term injury...
 
very good start mate never done it in the pro league before so best of luck i keep an eye on this :)
 
Your doing well. What sort of formation and tactics are you using? I had started a game as Standard but never really got going. If i remember correctly all of their right wingers where out on long term injury...

Im using a 4-4-2 formation but i cant get the strikers to score. Tagoe is so funny, i love him, he cant score for anything but some of his misses are well worth the money, Its hilairious.
Corners and Free-kicks to the far post. I'll do a special post about it in a few months. Only Tom De Mul is out long term on right wing. Carcela and Goreux are awesome.

very good start mate never done it in the pro league before so best of luck i keep an eye on this :)

Thanks buddy, Im enjoying this one. Cant wait for January to crop the squad a little bit.
 
Fireworks in November!
An unbeaten month for Standard, A massive test now against Anderlecht. Gaining momentum and avoiding injuries is key.

Anderlecht 1 - 3 Standard
Standard burst into this one and when a Carcela cross was whipped in from the left, Ondrej Mazuch put it into his own net. 1-0 Liege but not for long as Rnic got Anderlecht back on level terms. Jan Polak soon after hit the post and that must have shocked Liege into life when in stoppage time of the first half Koen Daerden scored from Ciman's deep cross, Standard 2-1 up. After the break both teams looked threatening without troubling the keepers to much until the 70th minute when Carcela's free-kick glanced by Dedryck Boyata went just wide. The same threat from Carcela's dynamite free-kicks continued and that brought about the 3rd Liege goal when Boyata this time stuck it in.Anderlecht hit bar in stoppage time but massive win for Liege.


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12 Wins 1 Draw 2 Lost

Standard 1 - 0 Eupen (BELGIAN CUP 7th ROUND)
Quick starters Standard Liege yet again scored early in this one as Tagoe perfected a casual 1-2 with Witsel in midfield and let fly from edge box. A magnificent goal from the African striker, Shame they dont come that often. His first goal in over 16 hours of football. In the second half Eupen hit the post and Aloys Nong a couple of minutes later shaddowed Eupen's efforts as he hit paintwork too. He looked dangerous again as he went one on one with the keeper but fluffing his lines but it didnt matter as Liege progress to the next round.

Standard 3 - 0 KV Mechelen
KV Mechelen had extra time and penalties in Belgian Cup midweek and they looked jaded from the start. M'Baye Leye scored on the half hour and Aloys Nong beat the keeper to make it 2 after a Carcela cross. Axel Witsel added a penalty in stoppage time of the first half. A lack lustre second half but a clear and deserved victory for Standard Liege.


Standard 1 - 2 STVV
Sidibe looked dangerous in the reverse fixture earlier this season between these 2 sides and he did so again when he drilled home in the 32nd minute. It took until the 2nd half for Liege to bring it back and it was Witsel's nerve from the penalty spot that done it for Les Rouches. The joy was short, STVV came back and added a 2nd goal to put Liege down again in the match but De Ja Vu as Axel Witsel wins another spot kick. Not to be converted though, and it was time to overload, Everyone up but the goal didnt come.
Witsel got injured in the 90th minute.(4 weeks) A bad day for Standard.
Anderlecht drew, Club Brugge move 2nd.


Cercle Brugge 1 - 1 Standard
A few strikers are catching the eye of boss Chris Saunt this season and Cercle Brugge frontman William Owusu is 1 of them. He scored on 19'. Dedryck Boyata's goal on the half hour was enough to save a point. Tagoe was terrible today missing chance after glourious chance. Anderlecht drew and Brugge go within a point.


View attachment 126232
 
Standard play, Liege are faultering! (December)
A loss and a draw in November needs to be improved upon without Axel Witsel. Steven Defour will have to play the attacking role for now as Eliaquim Mangela comes into midfield. Although a regular under the old regime hes been over looked so far by Saunt.

Germinal Beerschot 3 - 1 Standard
A poor poor showing from Standard Liege going 1 goal down when Wanyama (GBA) found the net on 12 minutes. They scored 2 and 3 from Peeters and Porokara respectively as they romped past Standard Liege. M'Baye Leye with the goal for Les Rouches. Standard really missing Axel Witsel. Carcela missed this match through a ban. A 3-1 defeat! Brugge go top.

Standard 2 - 0 Zulte Waregem
Dolly Menga (U19) debut but and Mehdi Carcela back from 1 match ban and it was Medhi Carcela and Steven Defour who btoh hit the bar in the first half. M'Baye Leye scored Liege's first before debutee Dolly Menga made the game safe capping a reasonable performance. Standard back to winning ways.

Lokeren 2 - 1 Standard
Standard lost to Lokeren last time out. Axel Witsel is back in full training and long term injury victim Tom De Mul is now back in light training. Things looking up in the snowy conditions and made even more so when M'Baye Leye was denied after just 65 seconds, Lokeren striker Gueye thought headed in a corner in the 8th minute to give Lokeren the lead. Their lead was short lived as M'Baye Leye smashed home from the edge of the box in the 11th minute. Level at the break. A route one ball from the Lokeren keeper, Braathen turned two players before smashing home. Even the Standard boss was aplauding. Lokeren defended for their lives for the rest of the match to see out a vital 3 points for them, Standard are in danger of letting their title hopes dissapear.

Cercle Brugge 2 - 2 Standard (Belgian Cup QTR-Final)
Witsel starts, back from injury. But that man again William Owusu gave Brugge the advantage early on. Axel Witsel was talismanic and scored from a penalty on 67 minutes to level. Reynaldo put Brugge back in the accendancy a short while after but Axel Witsel poked in a scrappy corner to tie once again but he picked up a slight knock and will miss Standard's next game. The tie is all square after the first leg.

Standard 2 - 0 Charleroi
Derby day in Liege and know one was more up for it after 9 minutes as Dedryck Boyata headed in a Defour corner kick. Half-Time 1-0 Standard Liege, and goal-a-blue-moon striker Prince Tagoe doubled the advantage for Liege. It was a lovely run springing the offside trap and beating the keeper at his near post, outstanding from Tagoe. A win as the teams head into January and the winter break. Liege need to up their game in 2011 if their regain the title this year.

 
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Transfer Mania (January 11)
The start of 2011 has arrived as attention switches to Transfer Gossip, Loan Deals, Freebies and Bargains. A very important month for Chris Saunt with the Belgian Cup Quarter Final as well as trying to chase down Club Brugge in the title race.

Standard Liege sign Van Damme
Jelle Van Damme has returned to Belgium today from Wolves after previously playing for Les Rouches rivals Anderlecht. Van Damme has played for Wolves 11 times this season scoring 1 goal. The fee is a reported £2.5m which may sound some alarm bells for Liege fans with the club said to owe money on several loans taken out prior to Saunt joining the club.

Eric Bokanga's loan terminated
After just 1 sub appearance Eric Bokanga's loan deal has been cut short by Chris Saunt as he searches for a different kind of striker.

Genk 2 - 1 Standard
De Mul back in full training but doesnt feature today. New signing Van Damme starts. Anderlecht lost to AA Gent previously known by Liege before kick off. Axel Witsel got injured and was carried off after 5 minutes after a fair 50/50 challenge. Eliaqium Mangala came on to replace him. Boyata sent off after 21 minutes. Hans Dibi ON-OFF Prince Tagoe. On 38 minutes Hans Dibi was fouled in the box. Steven Defour stepped up to convert the sport kick. 80th minute and Standard down to 9 men as Mangala was forced off by injury. Standard Liege collapsed after that with Tozser equalising on 81 minutes and Daeseleire took lead on 86 minutes. Abismal 2-1 defeat for Liege.

Bye Goh Bi
Cyriac Goh Bi has been sold for £1.2m to TOM. Goh Bi didnt feature much with just 8 Games under his belt and just 1 Goal, The goal will always be remembered by Saunt though as it was the first scored under his management.

Standard 2 - 0 Lierse
Tom De Mul started for Liege and he looked lively but it was Defour who squared to Witsel on edge of box who slammed in the first goal. Vandooren sent off for Lierse on 83, Another penalty for Liege and Witsel scored it. Standard move into top stop for the time being, Anderlecht and Brugge still to play. Defour picked up an injury and will be missing for 4 weeks !!!

Axel Bonemme gone on loan to Sint-Niklaas till end of season.

Danilo Sousa Campos gone on loan to FC Brussells till end of season.

Standard 2 - 0 Cercle Brugge (Belgian Cup QTR-Final)
This Cup tie is finely poised after the 1st leg at 2-2. Witsel suspended and Defour out injured so without there talismanic midfield pair but despite that Liege were having all the play. It took until the 69th minute to finally get a goal, M'Baye Leye scores after substitute Franck Berrier whipped in a delicious cross to the far post. 1-0 on the night for Liege. Another Penaly awarded for a foul on Carcela. Right back Laurent Ciman stepped up to score his first goal for Standard Liege and it was timely time to get it as well. Standard win 4-2 on Aggregate.

Cedric Collet moves to CFR Cluj for £200k
Collet only made 4 sub appearances for Standard Liege this season and with left back competition being fierce he has fallen by the way side as Van Damme, Pocognoli and Daerden considered stronger choices that Cedric Collet.

Nicklas Pedersen joins the club on loan from FC Grongingen
A small loan has been paid (£24k) for the striker to stay until the end of the season. The Danish striker is still only 23 and possesses a great all round ability. He is under pressure at Liege though, with strikers goals at the club becoming very rare this season.

Club Brugge 2 - 0 Standard
This fixture earlier on the season was a dramatic 4-3 Brugge win. A contender for Pro League game of the season. Pederson debutises and Witsel is back from a ban. It seemed as though the Standard Liege players were overwelmed by the game and they flopped from kick off. A 10th minute goal from Vargas. And it was 2-0 after Kouemaha's wonder goal from 25 yards out. Standard Liege completely out played and couldnt recover from the early strikes from Brugge. Brugge will be delighted as they got 5 points clear.

 
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Squad Update
I am starting to put my stamp on the team now, Ive signed 4 players and all of them feature in my starting 11.
View attachment 127143

GK - Sinan Bolat
Occasionaly gets beat from long range but overal is a fantastic keeper for any Pro League side.

DR - Laurent Ciman
Solid right back. Gets foward when appropriate and delivers dangerous balls into the box.

DC - Dedryck Boyata
Sensational defender, dangerous from corners and free-kicks. Reads the game well and possesses the speed and aerial ability to stop most Pro League strikers.

DC - Victor Ramos
A leader at the back, covers at the back, reads through balls. Grabs goals from free-kicks and corners. Much the same as Boyata.

DL - Jelle Van Damme
Supposedely injury prone left back but so far hes been solid and defends well. Seems to lack abit of pace but hes experienced enough to know when to go foward or stay back and also go tight or stand off a winger.

MR - Tom De Mul
Recently got himself into the team and is a real live wire when ever he plays. Needs to gain a bit more match fitness but looks a fantastic player.

MC - Axel Witsel
Creative genius, Not afraid to try killer balls and has got movement to keep himself open in midfield. A master of the Penalty with only 1 missed so far out of 6.

MC - Steven Defour
A real quality player. Ball winner, deep lying playmaker or advanced. Versatile to say the least delivers a brilliant corner which has aided the success of the centre halves.

ML - Mehdi Carcela
A magnificent young talent. Quality pace and ball in from out wide and has the ability to drift inside to score goals. Good skills, tricky to defend against.

ST - Prince Tagoe
Gives defences alot to think about but doesnt really have goalscoring in his locker even at this level. He contributes alot to the team and gets involved in build up play.

ST - Nicklas Pedersen
Didnt really get involved on his debut but the hole team was outplayed and left him out at shore. He cant really be judged so far.
 
Nice lay-out mate, interested in seeing how well you can raise the league reputation, perhaps get more champions league spots!
Haha Van Damme is good, I had him at my Wolves story before he left in, never played him just because I was so irritated with him leaving soo soon! :D
 
Nice lay-out mate, interested in seeing how well you can raise the league reputation, perhaps get more champions league spots!


Haha Van Damme is good, I had him at my Wolves story before he left in, never played him just because I was so irritated with him leaving soo soon! :D

Thanks mate, I think European performances would raise the reputation. Its happend in real life with Zenit St.Petersburg raising the reputation of the Russian League and now theyve even got the World Cup. I fear it might take longer than i thought initially though cause i cant even bring in like Helder Postiga lol. Rejected for Fiorentina but i suppose thats understandable lol. Keep following buddy.
 
Saunt Almighty (Febuary 11)
Its going to take an almighty effort this month with 5 games to turn the tables around for Liege. Club Brugge smashed Standard Liege and look alot more worthy winners of the Pro League if you base it all on that game. The difference is 5 points and Saunt needs everybody fit and firing to achieve his aims this season.

Standard Liege 1 - 0 Eupen
This was a drab affair. But ended in fireworks. A 90th minute strike from 25 yards by Axel Witsel smashed in off the post, The Standard fans all around the ground roar at the utter brilliance of what theyve just witnessed. Take a bow Axel Witsel. Anderlecht and Gent both draw and Club Brugge fall to defeat.


AA Gent 0 - 0 Standard Liege
An uneventful match but Gent proved they have potential to get up with the bigger Belgian clubs and deserve there current spot in Pro League at 3rd. Zlatan Ljubijankic and Yassine El Ghanassy look like accomplished players. Van Damme got injured and will be out for 2 weeks. Club Brugge suffered defeat for the 2nd game running so its within a point now at the top with only 4 league games to go.


Standard Liege 4 - 1 Westerlo
Defour is back from injury but isnt match fit and they rallied along without him as Nicklas Pedersen gave them a 12th minute lead with his first goal for the club. Just after the half hour mark Mehdi Carcela went off injured. Nicklas Pedersen doubled his tally with a fantastic poachers finish from 8 yards after Ciman's cross in before half time. Berrier took over free-kick duties after Carcela's exit in the first half and he set up goal number 3 with Boyata heading in. Pedersen nearly scored his hat-trick goal on 66 minutes but his thunderbolt shot came off the crossbar. But the hat-trick did finally come 20 minutes later as he looked alive in the box to beat the keeper. Westerlo scored a shock goal as Victor Ramos gave away a penalty, Sinan Bolat saved but Paulo Henrique scored on his 2nd bite at it.


KV Kortrijk 0 - 3 Standard Liege
Defour returns to the midfield. Eliaquim Mangala drops to the bench. Van Damme returned and the changes worked for De Mul's free-kick to Boyata, off the post after 28 minutes. Axel Witsel hits one from 25 yards into to the top left corner. 1-0 Standard Liege. Axel Witsel is making a habit of this with another long range beauty. 2-0 Witsel. Nicklas Pedersen finds the net after a twist & turn from just inside the box and its getting too easy for them. A very accomplished away day for Standard Liege. A joy to watch once again.


Standard Liege 3 - 1 Anderlecht
Earlier in the week Boyata, Nong and Tagoe all fall to training injuries and miss The Clasico Belge Derby. Liege have the bragging rights after a 3-1 victory earlier in the season. Liege made a flying start as winger Carcela flew down the left cutting inside and passing it to Witsel who through balled to Pedersen who struck left footed first time into the bottom right corner. Sinan Bolat picked up a knock around half hour but soldiered on bravely. 34 seconds after half time Anderlecht pulled level when Bolat could only
beat Lukaku's shot into the path of De Sutter. With time running out Nicklas Pedersen picked up the ball on the half way line before driving into the Anderlecht half and with a carefully placed shot he hits the post but Mohammed Tchite was there to convert on the rebound. A truely dramatic end to a brilliant match but to sweeten the result Carcela classily beat his man to cross for Berrier on as a sub who buried his chance, 3-1 Standard
Liege. Club Brugge lost to put a 7 point lead in Standard's favour. After the match it was revealed that Sinan Bolat will be out for 10 days and will miss the Semi-Final match in the Belgian Cup.


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