Courtrai et Valenciennes partagent le butin en amical d'été

The two clubs served up an entertaining encounter in their final preparations before the new season gets underway. KV Kortrijk came into the match as the home side and carried that advantage through much of the first half, with a decent crowd in attendance to watch the Belgian outfit take an early grip on proceedings. Valenciennes settled into the contest gradually, but the hosts were in the ascendancy as the opening 45 minutes unfolded.

Kortrijk broke the deadlock midway through the first half when an unnamed player found the back of the net in the 27th minute to give the home side the lead. The goal sparked some life into a competitive friendly, with both teams beginning to show more attacking intent. Valenciennes grew in confidence as the match progressed and came close to equalising before the interval, though the visitors went in at half-time trailing by a single goal.

The second half saw Valenciennes come out with renewed purpose, and their pressure eventually paid off with a well-taken equaliser. V. Marcel restored parity in the 88th minute with a clinical finish, setting up a tense finale as both teams searched for a winner. Neither side could find a breakthrough in the remaining minutes, and the match finished all square at 1-1, a fair reflection of an evenly contested affair.

For Kortrijk, the draw provides mixed feelings ahead of their competitive campaign, though there were positive signs in spells. Valenciennes will take confidence from their comeback and the character they showed in the second half. Both teams will have gained valuable match fitness and sharpness from the encounter as they prepare for their respective seasons ahead.