Ghent went to Sint-Truiden with a clear assignment. With a win, the Buffalos would jump over rival Club Brugge towards the top four. STVV hoped to take a new step towards the European Play-offs with a three-pointer.
An exciting match presented itself, but after barely thirteen minutes those positive prospects were already allowed to go into the dustbin. Koita planted his studs on Hong’s foot during a dribble, the spry midfielder was pushed red under the nose after a VAR moment.
The too strict decision by ref Verboomen put Ghent in a seat for 77 minutes. Salah was the first to strike after half an hour against a ten-man STVV. The season revelation of Ghent kicked the opening goal with a nice flight shot in goal.
A blow for STVV, which would even be knocked out before the break. Cuypers hammered in a ball with his head, a grabbing Schmidt sat on it in vain for a while. Ghent had its sheep on dry land.
In minute 55, Cuypers made it 0-3 with his second of the evening and his thirteenth of the season, the rest of the second half was completely unnecessary. Mission accomplished for Ghent, which is once again in the top four.
