KAA Ghent
Westerlo
- 1′ – Goal – Lucas Stassin (0 – 1)
- 19′ – Goal – Omri Gandelman (1 – 1)
- 21′ – Goal – Matias Fernandez (2 – 1)
- 34′ – Goal – Nicolas Madsen (2 – 2)
- 54′ – Yellow – Dogucan Haspolat
- 54′ – Yellow – Lucas Stassin
- 60′ – Cont. Sven Kums by Julien De Sart
- 60′ – Cont. Hong Hyun-seok by Pieter Gerkens
- 61′ – Cont. Matisse Samoise by Noah Fadiga
- 64′ – Goal – Julien De Sart (3 – 2)
- 65′ – Cont. Josimar Alcócer by Griffin Yow
- 70′ – Cont. Allahyar Sayyadmanesh by Kyan Vaesen
- 70′ – Cont. Lucas Stassin by Matija Frigan
- 75′ – Yellow – Stefan Mitrovic
- 80′ – Yellow – Ravil Tagir
- 82′ – Cont. Dogucan Haspolat by Romeo Vermant
- 84′ – Yellow – Jordan Torunarigha
- 89′ – Cont. Matias Fernandez by Franck Surdez
Jupiler Pro League – matchday 6 – 27/04/24 – 20:46
| time | icon | player | homeTime | homeIcon | homePlayer | score | awayPlayer | awayIcon | awayTime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1′ | Lucas Stassin | 0 – 1 | Lucas Stassin | 1′ | |||||
| 19′ | Omri Gandelman | 19′ | Omri Gandelman | 1 – 1 | |||||
| 21′ | Matias Fernandez | 21′ | Matias Fernandez | 2 – 1 | |||||
| 34′ | Nicolas Madsen | 2 – 2 | Nicolas Madsen | 34′ | |||||
| 64′ | Julien De Sart | 64′ | Julien De Sart | 3 – 2 |
In the Europe Play-offs, AA Gent has kept the six-point gap with first pursuer KV Mechelen intact. On Saturday evening, the Buffaloes were too strong in front of their own audience for a brave Westerlo, which had not yet been able to win in the play-offs.
Ghent – Westerlo in a nutshell:
- Key momentst: Just before half time, Alcocer kicks a shot against the post at the edge of the sixteen. Ghent escapes another deficit and takes the lead after the break.
- Man of the match: At Westerlo, Madsen was the embodiment of a strong midfield. The young Fernandez-Pardo caused a lot of danger for Ghent with his speed.
- Statistics: The last time Westerlo was able to win in Ghent dates back to 2009. Trainers on duty were Michel Preud’homme and Jan Ceulemans. Mbaye Leye scored a goal.
Fireworks in the first half
Even before everyone had properly warmed up, Ghent was already falling behind.
Westerlo, which could play football without any complexities, started the match scorchingly. Lucas Stassin extended a shot with a clever foot into the goal.
The same Stassin was back in the right place a minute later. This time Roef had a much-needed reflex to prevent worse for the home team.
After about ten minutes, Ghent got a better grip on the match and started to create chances themselves, with success.
With two minutes left, Gandelman (he again) and Fernandez-Pardo (with the help of the Western defense) made it 2-1. We were barely 21 minutes away.
It seemed mission accomplished for Vanhaezebrouck and co. But Westerlo also proved resilient.
Bart Goor’s team remained dangerous and deservedly equalized again just after the half hour. Madsen took a high cross in a controlled manner. Davy Roef did not stop in time and saw the ball roll under him.
With peace in sight, Ghent also got away well. Alcocer saw his shot hit the post.
De Sart as a game changer
Even after the break, Ghent had a hard time with the quick Westerlo.
The midfield led by Madsen was strong. A cannonball from Rommens was flown out of the square by Roef.
The huffing and grumbling became louder and louder. The signal for Vanhaezebrouck to intervene. Julien De Sart was allowed to play football for another half hour.
After a few minutes he tried with a low long shot. An ideal practice ball as it turned out, because a minute later it was bingo. Gillekens had no answer to his shot from the second line.
That turned out to be the death knell for the visitors. Ghent, without excelling, kept the nets clean after the break. Victory in the Europe Play-offs beckons.
Westerlo could not translate a strong performance into a point and was left empty-handed.
“Actually unworthy of Ghent”
Tarik Tissoudali (Ghent): “We started poorly and were not nearly good enough. It was actually unworthy of Ghent. Fortunately, we were able to win the match.”
Arthur Piedfort (Westerlo): “We are a young team and we played well and freely. As a result, we may sometimes lack some experience and give it away in the second half. It’s a shame.”
Hein Vanhaezebrouck (trainer Ghent): “We do what we have to do against a good Westerlo. They just started great. After the break and with some substitutions we took control. It was not a match to remember for long.”
Bart Goor (trainer Westerlo): “We played a very good match. The players wanted to play football and kept their heads up at all times. It’s a pity that we gave away too many chances, leaving us empty-handed.”
Phase by phase
END:3-2
A shaking head Hein Vanhaezebrouck sees his team win, but is not completely satisfied with the performance. A long shot from De Sart made the difference between the two teams in the second half.
Two more minutes. Westerlo insists one more time.
4 – extra time
An extra 4 minutes will be added.
Fernandez-Pardo makes optimal use of his speed and almost scores twice more. Gillekens stands firm and keeps his team in the running for a point.
Sydorchuck kicks towards the goal with great feeling. Roef sees the ball fly narrowly past his post.
Vermant will also join the team. Bart Goor would like to take a point.
We are in the closing quarters. What else can both teams do? At Westerlo, too, the fat seems to be a bit of a soup.
Ghent clearly wants to look for a safe fourth goal. A narrow lead is clearly not enough tonight.
Just after his substitution, De Sart immediately gives his team the lead.
The visitors are once again out of their depth and are just looking for a goal again. Watanabe arrives just in time for Stassin and is able to prevent a shot from close range.
Tags: Gent deals combative Westerlo remains authoritarian lead Europe Playoffs
