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Zulte Waregem relegated, Cercle Brugge takes last ticket Europe Play-offs after crazy match

After eighteen years in our highest football class, Zulte Waregem has been sentenced to 1B next season. In a crazy match, Essevee doubled up against Cercle Brugge, but in the end it was still 2-3 for the visitors. A defeat was not enough for Essevee to ensure retention in 1A. Thanks to the victory, Cercle Brugge grabs the last ticket for the Europe Play-offs.

Of course there was stress at the Gaverbeek, but after last week’s convincing 1-5 victory in Eupen, they trusted in Waregem on a good outcome: winning themselves against Cercle Brugge and Eupen losing points against Club Brugge.

The Elindus Arena had been sold out since Monday, while the players had a quiet run-up to the last day of the regular competition. In addition, an extra premium of 500,000 euros was provided for the Zulte Waregem group of players if they ensured retention. Ruud Vormer and co already whipped up the enthusiastic supporters during the warm-up. Just before kick-off, Zulte Waregem’s spiekop presented a giant banner with Waregem’s postal code on it.

Horrorstart

In short, everything seemed in the works to accomplish the miracle. Only that was not counted for Cercle Brugge, which was still fully participating in the battle for the Europe Play-offs. Zulte Waregem started the match furiously, but naively fell into the knife of the team from Bruges. After ten minutes Essevee was already lying against the canvas. The detached Siquet had first scored the 0-1 after a low cross from Ghobo. Ueda made it 0-2 a few minutes later. His nineteenth goal of the season already. Ghobo was unable to control a good cross from Deman, after which Ueda took over and scored. Somers had the 0-3 at his feet moments later, but aimed just wide.

Photo: BELGIAN

Zulte Waregem kept trying, but a furious start quickly turned into a horror start for the home team. Just like the whole year, it was also against Cercle Brugge cheese with holes in the back at Essevee. The home team conceded its 76th and 77th goal of the season. Figures that speak volumes. However, Frederik D’Hollander’s troops did not give up. Ruud Vormer provoked a penalty, but referee Erik Lambrecht was called to the screen by the VAR. Vormer fell before Siquet touched his leg, so no penalty kick in a match that became more nervous by the minute.

Not a valid penalty

On the stroke of peace it was price on the other side. Deman was touched in the box of Zulte Waregem, but Lambrecht let play continue. Again the VAR intervened, this time we did get a penalty. Ueda put the 0-3 on the board from eleven meters, but the Japanese slipped just before he shot, so that he hit the ball twice. Result: no valid goal. (Read more below the photo)

Zulte Waregem relegated, Cercle Brugge takes last ticket Europe Play-offs after crazy match

Photo: BELGIAN

In the meantime, Cercle was virtually in Play-off 2 thanks to a 1-2 deficit of Charleroi against Genk, while Zulte Waregem could still stay in 1A with a win. After all, Eupen was already 4-0 down against Club at half-time. It did not immediately inspire Zulte Waregem to a better second half, but they did score this time. Lukas Willen hit the goal just before the hour mark in the roof of the goal. The Elindus Arena woke up again and the players believed in it again.

Suddenly the signs even hung right again. Sissako cleverly passed the ball to Ndour, who pushed the 2-2 past Majecki. Zulte Waregem fans went crazy. And two minutes later Essevee went completely through the roof. Fadera actually scored the 3-2 goal, but… He was flagged for offside. What a crazy match. Suddenly the weather could go either way, but it was Cercle Brugge that ultimately came out on top. Thibo Somers dealt the final blow in the 85th minute and sent Cercle Brugge to the Europe Play-offs. Zulte Waregem was left behind orphaned and has been sentenced to 1B next season due to the 2-3 defeat. (Read more below the photo)

Zulte Waregem relegated, Cercle Brugge takes last ticket Europe Play-offs after crazy match

Photo: BELGIAN

Zulte-Waregem: Boston; Fila, Derijck (82′ Braem), Willen; Ndour, Vormer, Sissako, Miroshi (88′ Roars), Foxes; Gano, Fadera

Bruges Club: Majecki; Popovic, Ravych, Daland (74′ Marcelin); Siquet, Van der Bruggen (30′ Vanhoutte), Lopes (74′ Abu Francis), Deman; Somers, Ueda, Gboho (74′ Denkey)

goals: 6′ Siquet (no assist) 0-1, 9′ Ueda (Gboho) 0-2, 58′ Willen (no assist), 69′ Ndour (Sissako) 2-2, 83′ Somers (no assist), 86′ Vanhoutte (wrong)

Yellow cards: 36′ Vossen (foul), 45′ Popovic (foul), 49′ Fadera (foul), 73′ Lopes (foul), 78′ Abu Francis (foul)

Red cards: no

Referee: Eric Lambrechts

Spectators: 12.2091

2023-04-23 18:37:00
#Zulte #Waregem #relegated #Cercle #Brugge #takes #ticket #Europe #Playoffs #crazy #match

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