SHUTTER –
The match story of Standard – AA Gent can be summarized in a few keywords. There was hardly any spectacle, no violent supporter protest at all. This turned out to be a typical end-of-season match, with AA Gent eventually getting on the bus again with a 1-4 victory. In Liège people look to the future with apprehension. The Buffalos continue their countdown towards the jump-off duel.
No blockages or fervent supporter protest before the kick-off of the game, but Ivan Leko has increasingly less choice in terms of match selections at Standard. At Ghent, Hein Vanhaezebrouck was able to rotate considerably in the run-up to the jump-off match. The Ghent coach released Roef, Watanabe, Hong, Samoise, De Sart and Tissoudali, allowing Schmidt, Kandouss, Mokio, Hjulsager, Kums and Sonko to make another appearance in the Buffaloes’ starting line-up.
The Fiery City was not exactly burning at the kick-off of the game. The home fans once again decided not to cheer on their team during the first twelve minutes of the match. The 600 Buffalo fans who traveled with them made it a Ghent party and after Mokio first bumped into an attentive Epolo on a corner kick, the score was scored moments later. After a misunderstanding between Kanga and Kawaba, Hjulsager played appropriately to Gandelman who neatly passed to Fernandez-Pardo and the young striker once again proved that he knows what to do with such a situation. Epolo had no chance and the Rouches immediately had to chase (0-1).
When the Liège supporters ended their silent protest, their players took some extra courage and then Ghent goalkeeper Schmidt also lent a hand. After Mokio misjudged a high ball, Yeboah went on an adventure in the Ghent sixteen. The Genoa loanee did not even deliver such an impressive shot, but Schmidt completely choked on it and the ball bounced over the goal line under his body.
Photo: BELGIAN
Not a nice moment for the ex-Sint-Truiden goalkeeper, who appeared in goal for the first time since the beginning of March, when Ghent lost 4-2 to Standard. Ghent immediately took control of the game again and a busy Kums tried to push his team forward, but the visitors were caught far too often with wrong passes and ditto choices before the break. Standard may have looked motivated, but it was only with difficulty that they managed to put together a full-fledged attack.
Just before half time, Torunarigha suddenly guided Sonko through the Liège offside trap after a wonderful dribble, but the Swede missed the towering opportunity. On the other side, Kanga also claimed a penalty, but the VAR judged Torunarigha’s intervention as correct, meaning that both teams ultimately went to the changing rooms with a 1-1 halftime score.
Photo: BELGIAN
Even after the break, Ghent remained dominant, but the Buffaloes were not able to really threaten right away. An infiltrating Gandelman was blocked just in time by a Liège leg and after a quick counter-punch, Sonko was also unable to decide. In the meantime, it remained very quiet in the stands. Rarely has Sclessin been so calm during a league match. The atmosphere hovered between numb and excited. The financial worries and the uncertain future of the club clearly keep the Liège fan in a stranglehold.
Photo: BELGIAN
For a moment there was a spark visible: after an incorrect play-in pass from Mokio, Yeboah delivered a great shot, but his attempt ended up in the goal frame of a Schmidt who looked on without a chance. Halfway through the second half it became quiet again at Sclessin: Kandouss headed a corner kick from Hjulsager hard at Epolo, but in the restart Fernandez-Pardo was alert and the Buffaloes took the lead again. The sixth goal for the Ghent revelation during these Europe Play-Offs.
Immediately the signal for Vanhaezebrouck to make no fewer than four substitutions, you know, that crucial jump-off match. That one party to which the Ghent football family now lives in peace and quiet and to which everything must now make way. Ultimately the decision came in the 80th minute: Hjulsager cleverly served substitute Depoitre and he left Epolo without a chance. 1-3 and the books could be closed. A little later, the same Depoitre put the 1-4 final score on the scoreboard on a pass from Fernandez-Pardo. Sclessin was no longer lit by then, even the whistle concert of the home fans after the final whistle extinguished very quickly.
Standard standings: Epolo, Noubi, Fini, Panzo, Fossey, Price, Kawabe, Balikwisha (63′ Djenepo), Canak (81′ Sahabo), Yeboah (81′ Benjdida) and Kanga
Opstelling AA Gent: Schmidt, Mokio (68′ Agbor), Torunarigha, Kandouss, Hjulsager (82′ Gambor), Kums (68′ Mitrovic), Gandelman, Nurio (68′ Brown), Gerkens, Fernandez-Pardo en Sonko (68′ Depoitre)
Doelpunten: 10′ Fernandez-Pardo 0-1, 17′ Yeboah 1-1, 66′ Fernandez-Pardo 1-2, 80′ Depoitre 1-3, 87′ Depoitre 1-4
Yellow cards: Yeboah
Red cards:
Referee: Kevin Van Damme
2024-05-18 21:07:00
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