KVC Westerlo and AE Kifisias Play Out Entertaining Friendly Draw

In a tightly contested International Club Friendly at the Cesane Arena on July 29, 2026, Belgian side KVC Westerlo and Greek outfit AE Kifisias ended the evening with a 1-1 stalemate. Both sides used the fixture as a key part of their pre-season preparations, with several new signings seeing valuable minutes on the pitch.

The match, which kicked off at 21:15 local time, featured an open and attacking approach from both teams. Westerlo, playing in front of their home supporters, took the initiative early on and were rewarded in the 27th minute. A swift counter-attack saw winger Lukáš Červ cut inside from the left and unleash a low drive that beat the Kifisias goalkeeper at his near post.

AE Kifisias responded well to going behind, growing into the game as the first half wore on. Their equalizer came just before the interval. In the 42nd minute, a clever through-ball from midfield found striker Anastasios Tsoukalas, who slotted calmly past the Westerlo keeper to make it 1-1.

Second Half: Defensive Solidity and Chances

The second half was more cautious, with both managers making multiple substitutions to test squad depth. Westerlo pushed for a winner, with substitute Julien Van Cleemput heading just wide from a corner in the 68th minute. Kifisias also threatened, notably when Marios Oikonomou forced a sharp save from the home goalkeeper with a curling effort from 20 yards.

Neither side could find the breakthrough, and the match ended with a fair share of positives for both camps. For Westerlo, the performance highlighted growing chemistry among their attacking unit, while Kifisias demonstrated resilience and a solid defensive structure under pressure.

What the Friendly Means

For KVC Westerlo, this friendly was another step in their build-up to the new Belgian Pro League season. Manager Dennis van Wijk will be pleased with the team’s energy and organization, though he may look for sharper finishing in the final third. AE Kifisias, preparing for their Greek Super League campaign, showed they can compete physically against a strong Belgian opponent, a promising sign ahead of more demanding fixtures.

The match also gave opportunities for fringe players to impress. With the competitive season just weeks away, the 1-1 draw offered both sides a useful test of fitness and tactics.