Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
KV Mechelen beat Rupel Boom 3-0 in their first pre-season friendly of 2026/27, with Benito Raman, Amine Ouahabi and Maksim Kireev scoring at the Gemeentelijk Parkstadion.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
KV Mechelen struck before half-time to take control. Benito Raman opened the scoring, capitalising on a half-cleared corner to fire Malinwa ahead against the Tweede Afdeling hosts. The goal came after sustained pressure from the Pro League side, who dominated possession in the opening 45 minutes.
Amine Ouahabi doubled the lead shortly after the restart. The midfielder collected a pass on the edge of the box and drove a low shot beyond the Rupel Boom goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Maksim Kireev completed the scoring with a well-taken third, rounding off a flowing move as KV Mechelen rotated their squad through the second half.
The turning point
Raman's opener before the interval was decisive. Rupel Boom had defended resolutely for much of the first half, staying compact and denying KV Mechelen space in central areas. Once Raman broke the deadlock, the hosts were forced to open up, leaving gaps that Ouahabi and Kireev exploited after the break.
Key performers
- Benito Raman — The experienced forward showed sharp movement and composed finishing to open the scoring. His positioning caused Rupel Boom's defence problems throughout his time on the pitch.
- Amine Ouahabi — The midfielder added a goal and linked play effectively between midfield and attack in the second half.
- Maksim Kireev — The attacking midfielder rounded off the win with a clinical finish and looked bright in possession.
By the numbers — interpreted
KV Mechelen's 3-0 scoreline reflected a controlled, professional performance rather than a dominant demolition. The Pro League side kept Rupel Boom at arm's length without needing to shift through multiple gears. The half-time score of 1-0 suggests Rupel Boom's defensive organisation frustrated Malinwa for periods, but the gulf in class — two divisions between the sides — told in the second half as space opened up.
What it means
This was KV Mechelen's first pre-season friendly of summer 2026, part of a schedule that also includes fixtures against Sporting Hasselt (11 July), KSK Heist (15 July), ADO Den Haag (behind closed doors), Willem II (25 July) and USL Dunkerque (1 August). For Rupel Boom, their pre-season programme continues as they prepare for the Tweede Afdeling season.
Verdict
A professional, no-frills start to pre-season for KV Mechelen. Raman's sharpness augurs well, and Vanderbiest will be pleased with clean-sheet foundations against lower-league opposition. Tougher tests lie ahead in the coming weeks.
Rivalry since 2023
KV Mechelen vs Rupel Boom Head to Head Results· 1
KV Mechelen and Rupel Boom have met 1 times — KV Mechelen won 1, Rupel Boom won 0, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2023. KV Mechelen leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 1 meeting. A combined 3 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 3.00 per match (3 for the home side, 0 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 0 matches (0%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 0–3 in 2023.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 5 Jul 2026