ANTWERP, Belgium (Interstat) — Beerschot defeated Lierse K 3-1 in a Belgian First Division B match Saturday at Olympisch Stadion. The home side controlled the flow from the outset, building a commanding lead with first-half goals from Pouya Pourali in the 19th minute and Pouria Latififar in the 35th.

Lierse K’s Eric Ocansey cut the deficit in the 34th minute, assisted by Stan Van Dessel, but Beerschot’s Thibaud Verlinden restored the two-goal margin before halftime, scoring in the 42nd minute. Verlinden, the match’s top performer, also assisted on that goal and added a second score in the 70th minute to seal the victory. Beerschot improved to a perfect start in league play while Lierse K dropped its opener. The result closely followed a pregame statistical projection favoring the hosts.