12 Mar 2018
Eupen, 11 March 2018, Aspire Zone Foundation owned Belgian football club, K.A.S Eupen will remain in Belgium’s top flight league after winning their last match of the season and avoid relegation. K.A.S Eupen turned on the power to beat Mouscron 4-0 with on loan Japanese striker Yuta Toyokawa scoring a hat-trick on the last day of season filled with drama. Striker Luis Garcia scored the other goal as Eupen left it late to perform to mount their rescue act.
Eupen had started the day bottom of table with same number of points but inferior goal deference to the immediate team above them, KV Mechelen. Eupen's superior goals scored tally meant they would stay up if points and goal difference were equal. Eupen coached by former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele looked in trouble when KV Mechelen took a 2-0 against Waasland-Beveren before the hour mark while it was still goalless in the Eupen game at the same stage of the matches which kicked off simultaneously. This scenario meant Eupen needed to score three times to stay up and mounting a great challenge, they did and found four goals and turn the tables on KV Mechelen who got relegated.
Makelele, who took charge at Eupen last November with the mission to keep the club in the top tier for a second consecutive season was a relieved man at final whistle saying, “It was a day that had everything and every emotion and we went through all them together. I am extremely proud of my players how they fought to the end and everyone at K.A.S Eupen from staff, administration, players believed we would emerge triumphant at the end and l am pleased and relieved this has come to pass. We need to take a collective breath, let it sink in that we are still in the top league and then regroup after a week to contest the playoffs that determine qualification for next season's UEFA Europa League and we want to give it a good go,” said Claude Makelele.