Heist vs KV Mechelen

Diouf's red card (39') should have been the moment Heist seized control. Instead, KV Mechelen responded with discipline and organisation. The reshuffled backline, featuring José Marsà and the returning Jules Van Cleemput, held firm. Heist's best chance fell to striker Colman, who was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Yannick Thoelen after the break. Mechelen's ability to absorb pressure and then strike on the counter-attack through Van Rafelghem defined the contest.

• Keano Van Rafelghem (KV Mechelen): Scored the decisive goal (52') with a sharp finish from a set-piece situation. His movement off the ball created the separation needed against a compact Heist defence. Man of the match.

• Ortwin De Wolf (KV Mechelen): Made a solid debut in goal, commanding his area and making a key early save to keep the score level. The 27-year-old, signed from Zulte Waregem, showed why he was brought in to challenge for the No.1 spot.

• Gora Diouf (KV Mechelen): A debut to forget. The young centre-back lasted only 39 minutes before his red card. He must now work to regain trust in the pre-season.

• KSK Heist's defence: Organised and disciplined for long stretches, particularly in the first half. The third-tier side frustrated Mechelen's attackers and kept the score at 0-0 at the break despite the class difference.

The 0-1 scoreline tells only part of the story. KV Mechelen dominated possession before the red card, but created few clear-cut chances against a deep Heist block. After Diouf's dismissal (39'), the balance shifted — Heist had more of the ball but could not translate it into meaningful shots on target. The decisive moment came from a set-piece, not open play, underscoring the scrappy nature of the contest. Mechelen's xG (not publicly available) would likely reflect a modest total, but the efficiency of Van Rafelghem's finish was the difference.

For KV Mechelen, this was their third pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 campaign, following wins against Rupel Boom (3-0) and Sporting Hasselt (2-1). The result showed character — playing 51 minutes with ten men and still finding a winner — but also raised questions about Diouf's discipline. Next up for Malinwa is a closed-doors friendly against ADO Den Haag on 18 July, followed by matches against Willem II (25 July) and USL Dunkerque (1 August). The Jupiler Pro League season kicks off on 9 August away at Gent.

For Heist, preparing for life in the Eerste Afdeling, the match was a valuable test against a top-flight opponent. The club recently announced the signing of former Club Brugge striker Obbi Oularé, who did not feature on Wednesday.

A pre-season friendly decided by a moment of quality from Van Rafelghem and a red card that ultimately didn't cost Mechelen. The result is secondary — the bigger takeaway for coach Fred Vanderbiest is that his side can grind out results even when reduced to ten men. Heist will take heart from a competitive performance against a side two divisions above them.