Lierse lost their first match back in the top flight of Belgian football on Saturday evening. It finished 1-0 at STVV.

Coach Anthuenis opted for a 4-5-1 formation, Kawashima, Van Hemert and Davids got the nod over Kujovic, Frans and Sekour respectively. Camacho played at left back, Vandooren in central defence.
The Lierse supporters section was totally full, and were generating enough noise already an hour before kick off to demonstrate that Lierse were worthy of their return to the top level

Lierse were overrun in the first half hour, and there were chances for Delorge, Deferm and Sidibe. for the home side. Oour lads only created one chance in the first 30 minutes, a shot from Dequevy swerving wide. Kawashima made two good saves, from efforts from Christ and Sidibe, but was left helpless when  Euvrard was able to head in from close range on 27 minutes: 1-0. Anthuenis immediately made changes, bringing on Cavens and Elgabas for Job and Janssens. Lierse restored some balance to the match and Dequevy had a great chance to level before the break: Radzinski first heading against the base of the post from a lobbed cross from Elgabas, Dequevy firing the rebound way over from 5 metres out. Just afterwards Dequevy again with a nice run leaving Odoi standing, Volders flinging himself to save in the top corner.

In the second half there was less STVV pressure, and Lierse went in search of an equaliser. Elgabas, who had made a good impression since coming on, kbrought a good save from Volders in the 47th minute. Two minutes later an identical passage of play, again Elgabas with a shot, again Volders with the save.  The ref then begun to infuriate Lierse, giving out three dubious yellow cards for Dequevy, Vandooren and Cavens. On the hour a good shot from Davids, just wide. Twenty minutes from time, Cavens found himself in a good position, but his shot went well over. Anthuenis then brought on Douala for Mensah, Dequevy moved into the centre. Quarter of an hour from the end Lierse appealed for a penalty following handball in the area, but the ref didn't want to know. STVV were still countering dangerously, but Onana, Deferm and Delorge were unable to convert. In the very last minute Radzinski had the chance to equalise from a low cross from Elgabas, but the ball bobbled strangely and Radzinski was unable to get a clean contact. So Lierse lost on their debut back in the top flight 1-0.

STVV: Volders, Wagemakers, Buysens, Euvrard, Rymenants (Mutombo 56'), Delorge, Mennes, Christ (Onana 72'), Deferm (Camara 90'), Rymenants, Sidibe.

Booked: Mennes (foul)

LIERSE: Kawashima, De Wree, Van Hemert, Van Dooren, Camacho, Dequevy, Davids, Mensah (Douala 68'), Janssens (Elgabas 35'), Job (Cavens 35'), Radzinski

Booked: Van Hemert (foul), Dequevy (dive), Van Dooren (foul), Cavens (protest), Davids (foul)

Goals: 26’ Euvrard 1-0

Referee: Boucaut.
Attendance: 7.970.