Omri Gandelman leads AA Gent to 5-0 Victory, Champions’ Play-offs Dream Dashed

Substitute Omri Gandelman guided AA Gent past a defensively dramatic Charleroi with four goals, but the 5-0 win was ultimately not enough to secure a ticket for the Champions’ Play-offs. The Carolos still have to fight against relegation.

Before the match, Fragma’s ‘I need a miracle’ resounded through the loudspeakers of the KAA Gent Arena, a not-so-subtle hint from the Ghent stadium DJ. The Buffalo’s assignment was therefore not easy. AA Gent had to win at home against the ever-tough Charleroi and at the same time hope that two of the direct competitors lost points on the final match day.

The Buffaloes received the mental support for these crucial matches from Gift Orban, who officially said goodbye to the Ghent crowd, who once again saw the striker duo Tissoudali – Fernandez-Pardo reunited on the field. Gandelman then moved back to the bench. Ghent started cautiously, but after just five minutes Tissoudali had its first opportunity. Samoise made a good play but the Moroccan international decided high over.

Ghent may have dominated the debates, but goal chances remained rather scarce. De Sart took the lead after fifteen minutes with a tight long-range attempt, but Koffi quickly saved the Carolos, who also came out dangerously from the corner via Heymans, who forced Roef into a nice save with an excellent attempt and a little later Ilaimaharitra suddenly appeared for Roef, but Once again the Ghent goalkeeper delivered a vitally important parade.

In a handful of minutes, Roef became the talisman of the Buffaloes because when Badji scored a wonderful volley, Roef again needed a top save. A little later Gerkens also had to leave. The midfielder took a ball on his temple early on and eventually left the field dizzy. Enter Gandeman.

Photo: BELGIAN

The home team was really struggling before the break, but still went into halftime with a lead: a cross from Kandouss was headed through by Andreou to Fernandez-Pardo, who made it 1-0. Immediately his first goal for the Buffalos’ main force, who even doubled their lead moments later. After a good effort from Tissoudali, Brown served the infiltrating Gandelman and he floored Koffi with a hard shot into the bottom left corner.

Thus the primary part of the Ghent assignment was fulfilled. The victory seemed to be impossible for the Buffaloes and that was certainly the case when Gandelman made it 3-0 in the 48th minute on a pass from Tissoudali. Talk about a successful raid. It is therefore no wonder that the Ghent stands increasingly consulted the scores on other grounds during the second half. Would a miracle be possible after all?

Photo: BELGIAN

Gandelman, meanwhile, had a wonderful evening of football because when Tissoudali crossed the ball again, the shrewd Fernandez-Pardo left the ball to the Israeli who scored his third of the evening. In the meantime, the Ghent audience was enjoying it and there was even a Mexican wave rolling through the KAA Gent Arena. In the meantime, smartphones continued to be consulted diligently. Oh yes, Gandelman also made it 5-0 halfway through the second half.

The attentive Buffalo fans knew that their team was at a significant disadvantage in terms of goal difference compared to Racing Genk, so they were mainly dependent on the cooperation of Westerlo. Suddenly the news came in that the Limburgers had to continue with ten after a red card from Bonsu Baah. Would it still happen for AA Gent?

In the meantime, Ghent continued to attack cheerfully and substitute Surdez soon had a chance, but the Swiss decided on Koffi, who also had to work hard on an atomic shot from Kandouss. And then suddenly a stormy cheer rose from the Ghent stands as Tagir gave Westerlo the lead against ten-man Genk.

The tension in the KAA Gent Arena was now really high, but the short-term euphoria turned into sadness when Genk equalized and the ticket for the top six moved to the Limburgers again. On the other hand, OH Leuven took the lead against Mechelen in the end, meaning Charleroi was still sentenced to play the Play-Downs. The match in Ghent ended 5-0 and the spectators present watched the final minutes in Westerlo on the big screens, but AA Gent has to start again in the Europe Play-Offs.

Digest

Lineup AA Gent: Roef; Kandouss, Watanabe, Torunarigha (74′ Mitrovic); Samoise, Gerkens (29′ Gandelman), Hong, De Sart, Brown (74′ Fadiga); Tissoudali (74′ Surdez), Fernandez-Pardo

Opstelling Charleroi: Koffi; Bager, Dari, Andreou; Petris, Ilaimaharitra, Camara (53′ Rogelj), Dragsnes (53′ Zorgane); Heymans (53′ Sylla), Guiagon (74′ Bernier); Badji (74′ Stulic)

Goals: 38′ Fernandez-Pardo 1-0, 41′ Gandelman 2-0, 48′ Gandelman 3-0, 56′ Gandelman 4-0, 67′ Gandelman 5-0

Yellow cards: Petris, Bager

Red cards: none

Referee: Jan Boterberg

2024-03-17 19:30:00
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