It became a basic debut in a minor key. AA Gent top talent Jorthy Mokio (16) got his first real chance, but dropped out just before the hour mark. Fortunately without much damage – he had cramps. The Buffaloes eventually took an important victory over STVV.
It was coming. Top talent Jorthy Mokio – barely 16 years and 54 days old – made his basic debut at AA Gent at Stayen. Only Nii Lamptey from Anderlecht kicked off in the Belgian first division at a younger age (16 years 31 days), in 1991. Impressive statistics.
And that, remarkably, just on the day that Mokio applied for his release as an AA Gent player from the Belgian Football Association. A formality. As a player with an amateur status – he has still not signed a professional contract – this release is necessary to possibly make a transfer. So he keeps his options open. Logical, since many European (sub) top clubs are showing interest. Let’s wait and see where his future ultimately lies. According to our information, Mokio himself would like to stay in Ghent, but the financial demands (of the family) are still too high for AA Ghent. Also the sporting uncertainty – who will succeed Vanhaezebrouck? – plays a role in their choice.
Mokio, on the left in the three-man defense, remained upright against Sint-Truiden. But, it must be said, his aggressive coverage of the opponent was not without risk, especially in the opening phase. AA Gent gave away too much space on the left at times, partly because Archie Brown has an offensive mind.
We had an intense first half, with excellent chances on both sides. The largest was soon for STVV. De Sart with a stupid tackle on the edge of the box, Zahiroleslam happily went to the ground. Penalty. Koita got behind the ball, but penalty specialist Roef was back at the meeting. Great rescue.
Just before half time, AA Gent took the lead. Surdez, another starting debutant, laid aside to Tissoudali, who pushed in: 0-1.
After the break, STVV should always have equalized, but Godeau and Steuckers let it go. Mitrovic made it 0-2. Thanks to KV Mechelen’s victory and loss of points, AA Gent is a firmer leader in the Europe Play-Offs.
A downer was Mokio’s failure just before the hour mark. The youngster felt her left thigh and could go no further. Cramps, as it turned out. “It was the fatigue,” said Hein Vanhaezebrouck. “I thought he was good, but also a bit nervous. Jorthy did take responsibility. He has faced stronger and faster guys. This will make him better.”
Vanhaezebrouck: “My departure? That is something the newspapers bring out.”
After the match, Hein did not really want to discuss the ‘news’ of his departure. “This is something the newspapers are reporting. It’s nice that they write about me. They often do that, don’t they? Sometimes positive, sometimes negative. That’s part of it. I deal with it very calmly. I don’t find that annoying. What matters to me are my players and the results. Winning the Europe Play-Offs is important. The rest is secondary. We’ll see. There will come a time when we will communicate.”
Zahiroleslam: “I think we were the better team”
Disappointment was the motto after the match for Zahiroleslam, the Canaries striker. “It was a disappointing match today.” Especially because STVV played a good match, but did not score. “We were the better team today, but all credit goes to them. They took their chances and managed to kill the match.” The American striker was clear about the goals for the rest of the season. “The goal is to win every match. If you don’t have that mentality as a professional, it’s better to go home and sit in your seat.”
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91′
Match is winding down to its end
The 0-2 took all the tension out of the match. STVV fails to create anything else. This way, Ghent can finish the match calmly.
90’+1′
Yellow card for Fatih Kaya
88′
Omri Gandelman is replaced by Pieter Gerkens
86′
Eric Junior Bocat is replaced by Fatih Kaya
85′
0-2 GOAL by Stefan Mitrovic!
Corner for Ghent. Mitrovic gets the ball perfectly painted on his head by Samoise and heads in the 0-2. Ghent thus has a reassuring lead.
84′
Yellow card for Eric Junior Bocat
83′
Delorge with a deflected shot
After a corner the ball comes to Delorge who can take a swing. His shot deviates slightly and goes just wide of Roef’s goal.
80′
Robert-Jan Vanwesemael is replaced by Joselpho Barnes
Fink goes all-in and brings in two strikers. Can they still turn the tide?
80′
Ryotaro Ito is replaced by Adriano Bertaccini
77′
Koita with a shot
After a long period without chances, Koita makes an attempt, but his shot goes wide.
72′
Smets remains down after contact with Tissoudali
The central defender has to recover from the blow, but is eventually able to continue. Twenty minutes to go. Can STVV still make a stand?
68′
Fernandez with a long run
Ghent still comes close to STVV’s goal. Fernandez runs away with the ball. After a long run he encounters the Canaries goalkeeper.
64′
STVV can no longer touch Roef’s goal
STVV’s good opening quarter is over. They no longer manage to threaten Ghent in the last ten minutes, which is starting to take control of the match.
60′
Jorthy Mokio is replaced by Brian Emo Agbor
Unfortunately, Mokio’s basic debut is already over. He was playing solidly, but suddenly has to sit down. He is replaced by Agbor.
59′
Franck Surdez is replaced by Matias Fernandez
57′
Strong start from the Canaries
The Truienaars clearly want to do everything they can to reverse the deficit. It pushes Ghent backwards. Steuckers comes almost alone for Roef again, but he is just too fast for him.
53′
Great opportunity for Steuckers
Steuckers is only put in front of Roef, but Watanabe is able to block the ball with a great sliding. This should have been the 1-1.
51′
Godeau kicks over for a corner
Almost 1-1 on a corner for STVV. Godeau can kick but his shot goes over.
49′
Mokio strong in duel
STVV tries to create something for the first time in the second half on the right. Vanwesemael is sent deep, but loses the game with sixteen-year-old Mokio who cleverly runs the ball over the back line.
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Tags: Gent firmly leader Europe Playoffs victory STVV top talent Mokio drops basic debut Jupiler Pro League playoffs
