Lierse resume training with 25 players

Andrew Anderson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:58:54 +0200

Lierse began pre-season training on Monday with 25 players under the watchful eye of new coach Stanley Menzo.

Dolly Menga, Geoffry Hairemans and Yassine Benali are back after their respective loan periods at Torino and KV Turnhout. Five triallists were present. Wanderson Sousa De Campos (winger, ex-Beerschot AC, son of Wamberto), Ahmed Magdy (rightback Wadi Degla, last year at KV Turnhout) and three players from the JMG-Academy of Mali, Diamonde Souleymane (central midfielder from Ivory Coast), Hamary Traore (right back from Mali) and Abdellah El Mouden (Algerian centre back).

Farssi only joins the squad on Friday due to exams. Lierse youngsters, Spaenhoven, Van de Walle, Van der Heyden and Vets have school commitments. Pouga and Vanherberghen are not training with the squad.

The 25-man squad: Aboumosalam, Adesanya, Annab, Benali, Bourabia, Dachelet, Diamonde, Elgabas, El Mouden, Farag, Frans, Goris, Hairemans, Hazurov, Lambot, Losada, Magdy, Menga, Saïdi, Sels, Shebata, Swinkels, Traore, Vercauteren, Wils.

There have also been changes made to the medical team. Doctor Jean-Pierre Meert has gone to Eendracht Aalst, the club of son-in-law Chris Janssens. The club wishes Jean-Pierre every success there. He is succeeded by doctors Andersen and Van Doninck. Kris Thys becomes physical coach and physio Yves Janssens is joined by physio Leen Engelen. Together with masseur Robert Heijnemans these people form the new medical team.

Stanley Menzo: "On the pitch together for the first time"

Andrew Anderson — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:40:51 +0200

Just before Lierse's first training session of the new season, Lierse.com spoke with head coach Stanley Menzo, who met with the squad for the first time today.

Lierse.com: How has the first meeting with the players gone?
Stanley Menzo: "Good I think. You see the lads for the first time. I've seen them on tv but now you shake their hands for the first time and look them in the eye, and that gives you a good feeling."

Lierse.com: The squad is not yet complete. Does that make it more difficult?
Menzo: "The first week will always be a bit hectic. You have triallists and lads who haven't yet found a new club. Then you're stuck with a large number of players but despite that you just carry on working. In this period everything just has to be clear. Nothing more, nothing less."

Lierse.com: With Losada and Farssi two new players have already been signed. Are you happy with their arrival?
Menzo: "I'm very happy about that. Certainly in the case of Losada, as I know him already. We needed an attacking midfielder at number 10 with scoring ability. Somebody who gets into scoring positions but who also brings others into the game. He has the experience, knows Belgian football and how the system works. That is good for this team. I don't know Farssi as well but I'm quickly going to find out as much as I can."

Lierse.com: Is there tension before the first training session?
Menzo: "This morning was already tense. You are going to your first training session with your new club. Now you've met everybody and the next step is tense. You go onto the training field together. Of course it only happens once. After an hour and a half it's over, that can only be enjoyable."

Hernán Losada opts for Lierse

Andrew Anderson — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:22:33 +0200

Lierse have reached agreement with Hernán Losada. The Argentinian midfielder has signed a three year contract.

Hernán Losada (31) is an Argentinian midfielder who played at Beerschot AC up to last season. He had been there since 2006. The former Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen was his first club outside South America. After short spells at Anderlecht, Heerenveen and Charleroi Hernán returned to Beerschot in 2011. At the Kiel the Argentinian showed himself to be a techically gifted right footer with an urge to push forward and a great eye for the game.

Hernán Losada:
"Lierse have shown interest for some while. I see my transfer as a good challenge in my career and have always found Lierse a team whose league position didn't match their quality. I want to be a part of the Lierse project.

I'm expecting better results and with the new coaching team and Tomasz Radzinski as sporting director we're going to make some good things happen for the supporters and everybody at Lierse."

Sporting Director Tomasz Radzinski:
"With Hernán we've acquired a real number 10. We are very happy that we've been able to round everything up quickly and that we've ben able to attract someone with his qualities. Losada is a player with top qualities. He is a typical playmaker with insight, technique and scoring capability. Through his many years of experience he's the ideal man gor a number 10. We wish him every success at our club for the next three years.

Hernán Losada is after Rachid Farssi our second transfer. We do our homework thoroughly, only want to attract players who will improve us and we are in discussion with other top talents which hopefully can be rounded up shortly."

Geoffry Hairemans returns to Lierse

Andrew Anderson — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:30:04 +0200

Lierse today welcomed back Geoffry Hairemans. The midfielder is a Lierse player but was loaned out to Turnhout in January. Geoffry helped the team to stay in the third division. Now he returns to Lierse, where his contract has been extended for two years (+1 year option). Geoffry gets the chance to push for a first team place under new head coach Stanley Menzo.

Geoffry Hairemans: "I'm very happy to be back at Lierse. We just missed out on the promotion play offs at Turnhout, but the main thing was that we were not relegated. Of course the move from third division to first division takes some adjustment, but I have played every game at Turnhout. The difference with first division is smaller than if I had sat somewhere else on the bench. Look at Thomas Wils, he also got better as a result."

"I just want to have a good pre-season and prove myself to the new trainer. I hope we can have a good calm season, so that our supporters can be relaxed and that we can quickly assure ourselves of a prolonged stay in the top flight."

Stanley Menzo is the new trainer of Lierse

Andrew Anderson — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:43:37 +0200

Today at the Herman Vanderpoorten stadium Stanley Menzo was introduced as the new headtrainer of Lierse. The Dutch ex-player of our club signed a two-year contract.

Stanley (49) played 73 matches for Lierse between 1996-1999. In that period Lierse won the league title in 1997 and the Belgian Cup and Supercup in 1999. Menzo can be considered as an absolute icon of our club.

Hoofdtrainer Stanley Menzo: This is a step in my ambition to work as a head coach. If you can then come back to a club where you have always worked with so much pleasure and love, then you are happy with that. It's not the case that the discussions were difficult. Both Lierse and my previous club Vitesse still had matches to play, so it was better to take our time. Both parties were keen to work together. I want to play attacking football, but ultimately the result is the most important thing. Commitment and fight are the absolute minimum requirements. I promise that I will do my very best to give Lierse the profile it had before. It will be fantastic to experience the fervour of the Lierse fans again in this stadium. I'm looking forward to that.

Sporting Director Tomasz Radzinski: I'm very very happy. For the club, supporters and myself. This is an important step in the further development of Lierse. Stanley is somebody with hunger and experience, as player and as trainer. He fits perfectly in the profiel that we had in mind. He is also a club icon and that is an extra advantage.

Rachid Farssi signs for Lierse

Andrew Anderson — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:33:58 +0200

Rachid Farssi has signed a two-year contract today with Lierse.

Farssi is a 28-year old (15-1-1985) Belgian midfielder who movers from Waasland-Beveren.

Technical Director Tomasz Radzinski: "With Farssi we've got our first reinforcement for next season. Rachid is a talented, hardworking and all round player. He's a left footer with a lot of technical and footballing qualities, is a goal getter and can provide assists. He fits perfectly in the profile that we are looking for at our club. Farssi has to be a walued addition to the squad for next season with the years of experience he has in the first division. We wish him every success at Lierse."

Rachid Farssi: "I'm happy to sign for Lierse. Ik know the club from playing against them so often, but I also know Lens Annab and Nico Van Kerckhoven (current asssistant reserve trainer at Lierse) from my period at Westerlo. They have told me a lot of good things about Lierse. I believe in the new project of the club, with a new Technical Director and a new trainer, and I want to be part of that. I'm hungry to begin the preparation, so that we cal a good basis for next season."

Bio Rachid Farssi
As a 10-year old player Rachid joined the youth set up at Racing Genk. He progressed through the youth ranks at Genk and at 19 made his debut in the first team. After a loan period at Visé Rachid was transferred to Eupen. He became a regular there and in his second season there was spotted by Westerlo. Farssi played at Westerlo for five seasons, but after Westerlo were relegated at the end of the 2011-12 season, opted to remain in the top flight by joining Waasland-Beveren.

Lierse win last match of season 3-0 at KV Kortrijk

Andrew Anderson — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:51:37 +0200

KV KORTRIJK: 0 - LIERSE: 3

On Saturday Lierse played their last match of the 2012-13 season away to KV Kortrijk.

Trainer Eric Van Meir opted for a 4-3-3 line up with Wils at rightback, Lambot on the right wing and Vercauteren on the left wing. The Ethiopiand striker Salahdin got his starting debut.

In the first fifteen minutes of the match the home side threatened three times, a half volley from Cappon went over, Goris made an outstanding save from a shot from Pavlovic, and a shot on the turn from Mahau went over the bar.

The first attemt on goal from Lierse came after twenty minutes, a good long ball from Farag to Salahdin, who laid back to Bourabia, but the Lierse player of the season saw his shot go well wide. Not much more of note in the remainder of the first half, apart from a Capon shot for the home side which went just wide, and Vercauteren saw a shot saved by Pillot for Lierse.

In the second half the first chance was also for Kortrijk, good move from Capon on the right, Chavarria played in but the Argentinian shot wide from close to the near post. In the 52nd minute a quick dribble from Salahdin in the penalty area, the Ethiopian produced a fine shot which beat Pillot: 0-1. Three minutes later Vercauteren into the box, Martin tried to kick clear but put the ball past his own keeper: 0-2. Lierse had their tails up, Lambot laid back to Vercauteren who scuffed his shot, Lierse enjoyed the bulk of possession and the same two players found each other again, low cross from Lambot and Vercauteren slid the ball in at the ner post: 0-3. In the 75th minute Vercauteren played in Salahdin, smart volley but wide. KV Kortrijk were unable to create any more chances and Lierse recorded their first win in Play Off II.

Lierse: Goris, Swinkels, Shebata, Vercauteren (82' Van Der Heyden), Salahdin ('88 Sols), Frans, Wils, Lambot, Saïdi, Farag, Bourabia ('88 Van De Walle)

Goals: 52' Salahdin (0-1), 55' Martin (o.g., 0-2), 65' Vercauteren (0-3)

Rachid Bourabia voted as player of the season

Andrew Anderson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:39:23 +0200

As tradition dictates, Lierse presented their player of the season awards before the last home match of the season. The trophy this season was won by Rachid Bourabia.

Votes were conducted via the supporters federation and on the website and Facebook page of Lierse. Thomas Wils, Matz Sels, Kostadin Hazurov and Arjan Swinkels completed the top five.

Sols, Pauwels and Vercammen sign for Lierse

Andrew Anderson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:36:02 +0200

Jasper Sols, Jeffrey Pauwels and Tim Vercammen have all signed semi-pro contracts with Lierse. Lierse have signed them for two season with an option for a third year.

Jasper Sols is a 17-year old (30-06-1995) defensive midfielder who started with Lierse on the under 10s. Sols has been selected a number of times in the Play-Offs for the first team. `

Jeffrey Pauwels is a 17-year old (23-03-1996) goalkeeper who began as a youngster with Lierse, and after a brief spell with Westerlo has been back with Lierse for the last two years.

Tim Vercammen is a 17-year old (01-05-1997) central defender who started in the under 9s for Lierse.

Technical Director Tomasz Radzinski: "W're happy to tie these three talented youngsters to us for a longer time. Lierse has traditionally had a strong youth set up and we want to reap the benefits of that. Lierse want to continue to give youth a chance and we are very proud that these three lads believe in Lierse enough to sign contracts. We will give these three players enough time to fit in and try to ensure that they can develop in the longer term."

Jarju secures three points for Bergen in Lier

Andrew Anderson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:26:44 +0200

K.LIERSE SK : 0 - BERGEN: 1

The last home match of the 2012-2013 season saw Lierse host Bergen (Mons). For Lierse five youth players were included in the starting line up. For Wils, Frans and Goris it wasn't their first appearances at the Lisp but the young Jasper Van der Heyden made his first division starting debut after coming on as a sub last week in Gent. Julien Vercauteren also began a match for the first time for Lierse. Ahmed Farag started at left back, Karim Saïdi lined up alongside Wils in front of the defence and Christian Pouga n was posted at striker. Pouga was joined by Van der Heyden and Vercauteren.

The first chances of the match were for Lierse. Pouga came face to face with keeper Saussez but failed. Just afterwards Jasper Van der Heyden found Pouga after a nice move but the tall striker fired wide. At the other end ex-Lierse player Tim Matthys had two chances. First Nathan Goris saved and at the second attempt fired high over. Pouga then again with a chance for Lierse, but he headed a cross from Farag just wide.

After a good opening period the match went into a lull, and it was almost on the half hour mark before the next chance. Mustapha Jarju with a shot, Goris got a touch to it, but insufficient to keep the shot out: 0-1 for the visitors.

A quiet start to the second half. On the hour trainer Eric Van Meir brought on the Ethiopian forward Salahdin in place of Christian Pouga. Ten minutes later danger from Lierse. Arjan Swinkels forcing keeper Saussez into a smart reflex save with his leg. At the other end Nong put Jarju through on Goris but the Gambian fired an excellent chance wide. Kostadin Hazurov then replaced Jasper Van der Heyden.

Ten minutes later Lierse suddenly with a chance. Farag crossed from the left and Hazurov headed in at the near post. But the Bulgarian's joy was short lived as the linesman - correctly as replays showed - had flagged for offside. Two minutes later Tom Van Imschoot of Bergen was shown a red card after a tackle on Salahdin. The one man advantage came to late to help Lierse.

K. Lierse S.K.:Goris, Swinkels, Vercauteren (87’ Aboumosalam), Pouga (60’ Salahdin), Frans, Van der Heyden (74’ Hazurov), Wils, Lambot, Saïdi, Farag, Bourabia
RAEC Mons:Saussez, Debisschop, Matthys, Van Imschoot, Nong (90’ Köse), Van Gijseghem (46’ Franquart), De Belder (72’ Nyoni), Jarju, Le Postollec, Sapina, Monteyne

Red: 88’ Van Imschoot
Goals: 27’ Jarju 0-1
Referee: Laforge