AA Gent took full advantage of Bruges’ defeat in Kortrijk. It certainly wasn’t easy against Eupen, but in the end the Buffalos booked a logical and deserved victory. With four matches left on the program, AA Gent is now in fourth place with two points ahead of blue-black. Oh yes, Orban didn’t score but was a constant scourge for the visiting defense and had a foot in two Ghent goals.
Naturally, all eyes were on the Orban phenomenon on Sunday evening and after barely 30 seconds the Nigerian goal getter appeared dangerously for the first time in Eupen’s sixteen thanks to a sublime opening by Hong. Goalkeeper Moser breathed a sigh of relief because Orban’s attempt could still be processed into a corner kick in extremis. It was immediately the starting signal for a furious Ghent offensive.
The Buffalos therefore knew that they could do a golden job in the ranking. Due to Club Brugge’s defeat in Kortrijk, a win against Eupen was enough to secure a place in the top four. Four days after the European victory in Istanbul, there was a great mood in the Ghelamco Arena, but the visitors certainly did not leave their mark. Prevljak tested Nardi’s fists early on with a searing free kick.
Mistakes
Suddenly, the party’s view also tilted. Ghent suddenly played very nervous and Nardi had to go to work in the opening fifteen minutes when a deflected shot from N’dri. The Buffalos now managed to take control of the game: Fofana and Piatkowski threatened, without really making Moser’s life miserable. Ghent was caught making unnecessary mistakes just too often and as a result the Pandas held their own relatively smoothly.
Around half an hour the Ghent storm picked up again. Eupen now really ran after an elusive ball, but Hong and De Sart missed a bit of luck in the finish. N’dri, however, was constantly on the lookout and with a tight shot he aimed wide. Orban also had a chance, but on a cross from Fofana he headed high over. (Read more below the photo)
Photo: BELGIAN
And then Fofana demonstrated his talent again: with a flawless pass he reached Cuypers, but Cuypers decided to hit the post. Eupen, however, remained dangerous on the counterattack and when Samoise slipped unluckily, Gassama was able to take off. The Mauritanian attacker seemed to be on his way to Nardi, but was blocked with some effort by the same Samoise.
Orban strikes… with assist
Eupen seemed to be able to rest with a 0-0 score, but then Orban struck. This time he actually fulfilled the role of declarant. With a measured pass, the Nigerian launched Cuypers, which left Moser without a chance. 1-0, the Ghent fans breathed a sigh of relief. The Buffalos were also virtually in the top four. However, Vanhaezebrouck did not look satisfied on the sidelines. The many carelessness and wrong choices clearly bothered him.
Photo: BELGIAN
The second half started at a slower pace and the first goal-ready chance came for Eupen via Gassama who outwitted De Sart, but his cross did not reach a teammate. Gent immediately took over and Cuypers forced Moser into a fine reflex with a tight header. Hong then took his chance with a cunning corner but Moser prevented an Olympic goal.
In the back, Ghent continued to act just too weak at times. Now Ngadeu lost the ball all too easily, but Nardi was on his toes and prevented an Eupense equalizer. In the front, Ghent got more and more opportunities: cross Hong, half bicycle kick Orban, but he missed the right direction.
Odjidja stands out
In the meantime, Odjidja replaced De Sart and he immediately showed himself with a fine effort. The Gentenaar himself chose his chance to go and aimed over, while Orban was milling. The game was repeatedly stopped in the second half because both Piatkowski and Torunarigha were injured. All this obviously did not benefit the level of play and the rhythm of the match. Okumu also eventually replaced Piatkowski.
Photo: BELGIAN
Ghent continued to look for a second and redeeming goal. On a corner kick, Fofana reached the hard-working Cuypers, but he kicked Moser from close range. It now really rained Ghent corner kicks, but Eupen was spared from extra damage for the time being. This allowed the Pandas to keep hoping for an equalizer.
Ngadeu then once again demanded attention with a bizarre intervention that earned him a yellow card, as a result of which he will immediately miss the match against Seraing due to a yellow suspension. And then Orban still forced his ‘moment de gloire’. Fofana continued smoothly on the left and made a good cross. Orban rooted for the ball, but it was Davidson who floored Moser.
The game was decided and everyone seemed to be analyzing the remaining Ghent schedule in the regular season. Until Odjidja brought Okumu into position with a wonderful cross, who hammered the third goal from Ghent against the nets. Eupen was now definitely against the canvas. The East Cantoners will have to work hard to settle the relegation battle in their favor.
Setup AA Ghent: Nardi; Piatkowski (70′ One), Ngadeu, Torunarigha (79′ Height); Samoise, Kums, Hong (79′ Agbor), De Sart (62′ Odjidja), Fofana (79′ Depoitre); Orban, Cuypers
Setup Eupen: Moser; Van Genechten (86′ Alvarez), Paeshuyse, Bessilé, Davidson (86′ Christie-Davis); Lambert, Magnée, Baiye (69′ Peeters); N’Dri; Prevljak (86′ Allah), Gassama (78′ Nuhu)
goals: 45 + 1′ Cuypers 1-0, 77′ Davidson in own goal 2-0, 85′ Okumu 3-0
Yellow cards: De Sart, Ngadeu
Red cards: no
Referee: Lawrence Visser
