Lokeren beat Zulte Waregem to Belgian Cup

KSC Lokeren OV won their second Belgian Cup in three years with a 1-0 defeat of SV Zulte Waregem at Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels.

Lokeren had never claimed a major honour before their 2012 triumph against KV Kortrijk by the same scoreline as tonight's triumph. Defender Alexander Scholz headed a 57th-minute winner to confirm Lokeren's 2014/15 UEFA Europa League play-off place.

The 38,056 spectators just barely sat down after the Belgian national anthem when Zulte Waregem's Idrissa Sylla, after taking the ball on the turn from Jens Naessens's and hit the post. The woodwork again saved Lokeren 18 minutes later when Mbaye Leye won the ball from Giorgos Galitisios.

Francky Dury's side were made to rue those missed not long before the hour mark when Scholz turned in a corner. It was nearly 2-0 but Zulte Waregem goalkeeper Sébastien Bruzzese stopped an effort from distance by Galitsios and a Hamdi Harbaoui shot, while at the other end Sylla had a strike blocked.

"We have had to work very hard for this," said Lokeren coach Peter Maes. "We grew into the match and at a certain point we took control. The goal gave us an enormous boost, making us fight even harder. We have worked for this for four years. I am keeping with my feet on the ground, but I am really enjoying this."