Lierse overturned a 1-2 first leg deficit in the Cofidis Cup quarter final on Wednesday night. Their 2_4 win after extra time at Sclessin, meant that Lierse advanced to a semi final against Lokeren in February.
Chris Jansens left Claasen and Saïdi on the bench. Grncarov, Hairemans, Sonck and Hussein started. Davids and Huysegems were lef out as a precaution.
The first chance for Lierse came after only three minutes. Dodo Elgabas recuperating the ball and spreading play wide to Wesley Sonck. His cross picked out an onrushing Yasser at the far post whose shot hit the post.
Lierse played well in the first half against a Standard side happy to sit back and defend their first leg lead. Lierse had space and were allowed to use it. Hairemans and Elgabas with shots from distance and Maric with a hard free kick threatened for Lierse. Standard could only respond with a shot from Mujangi Bia which flew just over Kawashima's goal. 0-0 at half time.
After the break Claasen quickly replaced Geoffry Hairemans. The South African took up a right sided position. Sonck played in the traditional nr 10 role, Dodo was posted as lone striker and Yasser on the left. The second half was end to end, rather like the first half. Just before the hour Buyens fouled Milos Maric when he had broken through. The Serbian fired a superb free kick in off the post: 0-1 for Lierse.
Lierse sensed that there was a victory for the taking. Grncarov headed a free kick from Maric into the arms of Bolat. Substitute Bidaoui easily dribbled past Gonzalez with almost his first touch of the ball. The Moroccan cut inside and fired at goal, Sonck may have been a better option unmarked at the far post. Two minutes later Elgabas with a shot. The ball squirmed under Bolat's body, but Felipe cleared off the line. Just seconds later Gaxa was sent through on goal. The South Africans shot was too nonchalant and landed safely in the arms of Bolat.
Five minutes from time Vainqueur equalised for Standard. But Lierse's task remained the same: to score. Janssens put Grncarov up front and in injury time that move paid dividends. Beautiful cross from Bidaoui and the Macedonian headed home: 1-2 and extra time.
The start of extra time was dominated by Lierse. After twelve minutes the unthinkable happened: Sonck with a superb pass to Bidaoui, the Moroccan crowned an excellent cameo with a lovely goal: 1-3.
The second period of extra time saw Standard understandably pushing forward. Lierse also countered smartly via Bidaoui and Claasen but Standard's defence cleared the danger just in time. With a minute left a free kick for Standard. Maric headed the ball past his own keeper and Standard back in the tie: 2-3. But the respite was very brief. Soufiane Bidaoui went past his marker at the other end, and picked out Jason Adesanya. The Lierse youngster scoring his first goal for the club: 2-4 and Lierse home and dry.
Standard: Bolat, Goreux, Felipe, Cyriac, Pocognoli, Buyens, Seijas, Vainqueur (100' Vainqueur), Batshuayi (61' Gonzalez), Kanu, Mujangi Bia (81' Bjarnason)
K. Lierse S.K.: Kawashima, De Wree, Grncarov, Elgabas, Hairemans (57' Claasen), Sonck, Hussein (75' Bidaoui), Frans, Gaxa, Wils, Maric
Yellow: 48' Wils (L), 50' Claasen (L), 66' Buyens (S), 113' Seijas (S), 116' Maric (L)
Goals: 67' Maric 0-1, 84' Vainqueur 1-1, 91' Grncarov 1-2, 102' Bidaoui 1-3, 119' Maric 2-3 (own), 120' Adesanya 2-4
Referee: Delacour
