MD15: Brussels 1-2 Norden
In an all-important top-4 battle, who would come out on top?
By: Deek Rhyder
Fourth-placed Brussels KV welcomed Sixth-placed Norden FK for match day 15. Both teams are in the hunt for a top four finish, and expectations were high for this one. Brussels would use their traditional 3-1-4-2. While Norden would use the 4-1-1-4 formation, with new player Apollo Hazard making his debut and Amal Spitz being moved into a more attacking role.
Straight from kickoff, Brussels would go high-tempo in an attempt to get the first goal. However, the first chance would fall for Norden, with Captain Thor Odinson forcing a very good Chad Cockney "cock block" save from 10 yards out. The first 15 minutes were very back and forth and saw good passing from both teams. Norden would get another chance in the 22nd minute, with Moise Bean attempting a shot from the edge of the box, but it would end up sailing harmlessly over the crossbar. Five minutes later, we would see Brussels get their first chance of the game, with Patrick Forder forcing a good save from "The Great Wall of Va-China" Myung Choi.
The game would progress back and forth, with both teams getting good chances. In the 34th minute, Hakimi sent a dangerous low cross into the 6-yard box. His Brussels teammate Tijani would get on the end of it, but the volley went harmlessly wide. A huge chance wasted for Brussels. We would see a few other chances before halftime, but neither team could capitalize, and they would head back into the locker rooms with the score 0-0.
Halftime would see Brussels sub Augusto Rodrigues replace Patrick Forder in the second-striker position in hopes of breaking the deadlock. But, it would be Norden with the first chance of the second half. With Shelby through on goal, he would shoot from 15 yards out, forcing Cockney to make a magnificent diving save. The following corner would be headed onto the bar by center-back Upamaguire. Brussels was barely hanging on. In the 65th minute, we would see a host of changes for both teams. Brussels moved their wide midfielders and defensive midfielder up to help offensively. While Norden made 2 subs in the left-back and central midfield positions. Finally, Norden would break the deadlock, with Bean playing it through to Zacharias, who hammered it past Cockney to make it 1-0.
In the 79th minute, Brussels would sub club record goalscorer Emir Šehbajraktarević for Matvei Sbinottov, and 2 minutes later they would equalize. Vukovic played a great through ball to Hakimi down the wing, and the Moroccan would whip in a great cross for fellow countryman Tijani, who ended up hitting the bar with his header. However, somewhat fortunately, the ball would fall for super-sub Rodrigues, who would pull off an audacious back heel into the bottom corner, scoring a possible goal of the season contender. Brussels seemed to lose focus, however, as straight after kickoff, Norden went high-tempo in an attempt to win the game. After some great passing play, Odinson played a great through ball to Moise Bean, who slotted it into the bottom corner. The last chance of the game fell to Tijani, who attempted a bicycle kick from 10 yards out. But he discovered that he wasn't him because the ball sailed into Row Z.
And that was it. It was a very entertaining game with great chances for both sides, but Norden would come out on top. Moise Bean ended up as MOTM, maybe this could be the start of his comeback arc after a disappointing spell at Norden so far. Norden stay in 6th, but are now level on points with 5th-placed Brussels, who dropped one place after Deportivo Madrid won earlier in the evening.
