KAA Gent has successfully cleared its first hurdle towards the group stage of the Champions League. It won against Rapid Wien 2-1 after goals from Niklas Dorsch and Roman Yaremchuk. In the final heat it meets Dinamo Kiev.
KAA Gent – Rapid Wien in a nutshell
- Key moment: After a hesitant start, a goal for Rapid Wien was in the air, but the Austrians forgot to finish their chances. Ghent did, Niklas Dorsch took care of the opening goal, Rapid Wien dropped.
- Man of the Match: There were no stars in this game. Then we choose goal scorer Dorsch, who helped his team out of the difficult period with a goal: the turning point in the match.
- Remarkable: Roman Yaremtsjoek was referred to the stands by ex-coach Bölöni, but got a starting spot again from Wim De Decker. The Ukrainian had a hard time getting into his game, with a penalty goal he still gets his gram.
Ghent hesitates, but Dorsch is relieved
Oof. Head coach Wim De Decker will undoubtedly have a few gray hairs richer. KAA Gent had to win against Rapid Wien to have a chance at the group stage of the Champions League, but it was not easy at all.
Rapid Wien shot off the starting blocks very quickly. After barely 2 minutes, Fountas Roef pelted for the first time. The goalkeeper had to release the ball, but fortunately for Ghent without a problem.
“Ghent can thank the gods”, said Peter Vandenbempt after the match. But it can certainly also thank Rapid Wien.
The presents from Roef, Arslanagic and Owusu did not work out. A goal from the visitors was in the air, Ghent was looking. Looking for more stable play, but it actually found something else: a goal. Niklas Dorsch headed the 1-0 without a chance past goalkeeper Strebinger.
It was the turning point in the game, as the De Decker boys were getting better in the match, Roman Yaremchuk was just unable to put the double lead on the scoreboard.
After a difficult start to the match, Dorsch took care of the opening goal.
Victory seems to have come in, but Ghent is playing with fire
After the break there was again uncertainty, because the tight lead could easily be pierced by an Austrian goal. Kara’s visor, however, was not properly adjusted twice.
Then Tsjakvetadze thought his moment had come. The Georgian made his way into the box and was knocked down: penalty kick. Who else but Yaremchuk put himself behind the eleven meters. With the necessary effort the Ukrainian got his gram.
For Chakvetadze there was a little less reason to celebrate. After Greiml’s – very stupid – penalty kick, he had to be carried off the field.
The message at Ghent was to play slowly. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the ultimate slot, the Belgian vice champion almost got the lid on the nose. Substitute Demir took care of the connection goal and a minute later the hearts of the Ghent players stopped for a moment, Wurg’s header disappeared just wide of the goal.
The final whistle sounded, the drops of sweat on Coach De Decker’s forehead gave way to a smile. Ghent will advance to the last preliminary round of the Champions League and duel with Dinamo Kiev for a place in the group stage.
Appointment next week in Ghent and the following week in Ukraine.
