Thierno Barry shouts his joy after his goal, Dieumerci Mbokani celebrates. “As a young player, the fatigue sometimes starts to weigh.” — © BELGA
Football Challenger Pro League SK SK Beveren
SK Beveren booked a deserved but businesslike 2-0 home win against Lierse Kempenzonen on Friday evening. Top scorer Thierno Barry made the nets shake again after four matches of drought. “We have the best core, but I estimate our chances of promotion fifty-fifty,” said the 20-year-old attacker.
Wim Houttequiet
SK Beveren never got into trouble against Lierse Kempenzonen last Friday. After just under ten minutes, yellow-blue was already on roses after Barry’s opening goal. In the end, substitute Ribeiro Costa decided the game with a nice goal. “We score early in every home game,” says Thierno Barry. “My goal was good for the team, which put us in a seat. Lucas Ribeiro Costa decided the match, something he often does. That he often starts on the bench? We are six attacking players with many qualities. Everyone has sat on the couch at some point. That broad core is precisely one of our strengths. If you see who we can always bring in.”
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As quickly as Barry found his way to goal this season, it has been so difficult in recent weeks. The top scorer was dry for four matches and that started to weigh. “I wanted to start the playoffs well. That didn’t really work out. If a striker does not score a few matches in a row, it does indeed get into the head. Then it is important to stay calm and focused. That goal would follow. And look, we succeeded against Lierse. Did I doubt myself? No, not at all. I came here this summer with no pressure and I’m taking it game by game. I’ve already scored 15 goals this season. That is certainly not bad.”
Striking: Dieumerci Mbokani gave the ball to Barry on Friday, who did not fail from eleven meters. “We are both on the list. Mbokani knows I’m in the running to be the top scorer in the Challenger Pro League, so he handed the ball to me. It’s the second time he’s done that and I’m very grateful to him for that. I still had chances to score a goal, but I am still a young player. Moreover, it is only my first season in professional football and the first time that I have played so many matches. The fatigue sometimes starts to weigh through. I am used to playing 22 games a season, now we have played more.”
Top scorer
With fifteen goals, Barry is again alone in the lead in the top scorers’ ranking. “At the beginning of the season I just wanted to prove myself and I was not concerned with that title at all. As the goals followed, it started to play more and more. After every match I check if one of my competitors has scored. In the play-offs, however, it is more difficult to score a goal.”
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With this victory, Beveren stays in the trail of leader RWDM, which also made no mistake when visiting RSCA Futures on Saturday. “I estimate our chances fifty-fifty,” he refers to the title fight. “RWDM also has a very good team, although I think our core is a bit stronger. Now we just have to keep getting points. We are behind because of mistakes in the beginning of the season. The loss of points against RSCA Futures and Virton now weighs heavily.”