OH LeuvenWesterlo
Jupiler Pro League – matchday 10 – 25/05/24 – 20:32
timeiconplayerhomeTimehomeIconhomePlayerscoreawayPlayerawayIconawayTime
34′
Kyan Vaesen
0 – 1
Kyan Vaesen
34′
45+3′
Ravil Tagir
0 – 2
Ravil Tagir
45+3′
52′
Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson
52′
Jón Dagur Thorsteinsson
1 – 2
OH Leuven failed to end its season on a high note. They suffered a 1-2 defeat against Westerlo. The match was marred by two ejections (Ricca and Russo from OHL) and some upsets.
OH Leuven – Westerlo in a nutshell:
Experienced veteran Koen Van Langendonck got his chance under the bar in our highest class for the first time since 2017 (!). The 34-year-old goalkeeper did not disappoint and secured the Western victory with several excellent saves.
A ten-man Leuven team scored the tying goal shortly after half-time and completely pushed Westerlo away. Until Russo also took red in minute 68 and the home team had to continue with 9. The hope of Leuven is melting like snow in the sun.
The 1-2 win is only Westerlo’s first three-pointer in the play-offs. With the canceled match against Standard, three extra points may be added via the green table.
Efficient Westerlo punishes Ricca with a red card
OH Leuven and Westerlo both started their last match of the season with an open mind. The home team immediately took control, although real opportunities were not forthcoming.
Fast forward to minute 25: Ricca lands on Van den Keybus’ ankle after an unfortunate tackle. The VAR calls referee Vermeiren to the screen: exit the Uruguayan.
It gave the Gamecocks wings and not much later the 0-1 score followed. Prévot made a wonderful reflex on Vaesen’s header, but apparently should have allowed the ball to cross his line.
OHL did not give in, but came up against a strong Van Langendonck again and again. Just before half time the goal came on the other side. Tagir towered above everything and everyone on the corner kick and gave Westerlo the double lead.
Russo crushes Leuven’s hopes
The home team came out of the dressing room eagerly and was quickly rewarded. Banzuzi first hit the post, after which Thorsteinsson was able to score the 1-2 into an empty goal.
With one man less, OHL completely pushed the visitors away. Until Russo’s lights suddenly went out. The Argentinian received an unnecessary second yellow card and was also allowed to play.
Leuven played all or nothing, but was fortunate that the goal frame came to the rescue time and time again when Westerlo counter-punched. There was no more scoring and Westerlo still took a victory in the Europe Play-offs.
Bart Goor happy with first win in the play-offs, Oscar Garcia not happy with referee
- Bart Goor (interim coach Westerlo): “This victory is good for the group. It was still difficult, but in the end we succeeded. We could have finished the match a little faster, that is a problem. We had plenty of chances, but you have to finish it. On the one hand, I think it’s a shame that my adventure as T1 is ending, because it is a very nice group. Next year I will take up my role as assistant again.”
- Oscar Garcia (coach Leuven): “I am not disappointed, because we really gave everything today, even with 9. I am very proud of my players. I am not going to say what I think (referring to the refereeing decisions) or I would get a fine. Of course we can’t be completely satisfied, because we lost. There was also a lot of atmosphere and that is nice for the players who say goodbye to us after this match. We finished 10th in the standings and that is the best result from the club’s history. So the season was really successful. Normally I stay with Leuven, because I still have 2 years left on my contract, but in football you never know.
- Koen Van Langendonck (Westerlo): “I am very happy that I was given this match. I was immediately well into the match and that also helped. I did what I had to do. We are still making it difficult for ourselves against 9 men. It was important to give everything today, because then you can go into the holiday with a good feeling. I will stay at Westerlo for another year, because an option was taken up when it was certain that we would stay in 1A. “
- Joren Dom (OH Leuven): “It’s a shame how the match turned out. I had the feeling that we had the match under control before the red cards. Actually it had become a non-match and a bit of a farewell on a minor note, but We still gave everything. It was a bit of a fight. It was nice that the coach gave me the opportunity to play, even with the captain’s armband. I had very good years in Leuven, but I still have a lot ambition. I feel ready for a new adventure.”
Phase by phase
Westerlo wins against nine-man OH Leuven!
It was still shivering and shaking, but Westerlo achieved its first victory in the Europe Play-offs on the last matchday! The home team had to continue at 10 after half an hour after Ricca was sent off, after which Vaesen and Tagir gave the visitors a double lead.
OH Leuven came out of the dressing room more eagerly and even made it 1-2 through Thorsteinsson. The equalizer hung in the air until Russo picked up his second yellow card, leaving the home team with nine.
Nothing changed in the position.
The home team is now also moving forward together. Will the equalizer still come out of the blue?
Schrijvers aims over
Schrijvers takes the free kick, but doesn’t put enough venom into his shot. Van Langendonck can simply let the ball fly.
OH Leuven is then able to switch again, after which Neustädter applies the brakes. A yellow card is the logical consequence for the Russian. Can the home team take advantage with the free kick?
It just won’t work out for Westerlo. Yow takes another shot from the edge of the box and curls the ball wonderfully towards the top right corner. It is the intersection that Prévot comes to the rescue again.
There will be an additional 8 minutes of time.
Prévot and the crossbar keep Madsen from making it 1-3!
Another ball against the crossbar! Alcócer plays a counterattack cleverly and serves Madsen at the perfect moment. The Dane has the 1-3 at his feet, but hits the crossbar via Prévot. What an opportunity for the visitors!
Exchange of applause for Joren Dom
Joren Dom leaves the field for the last time as an OHL player. The 34-year-old midfielder says goodbye to the home crowd and will look for other places next year. The old warrior takes a seat on the bench amid loud applause.
We are approaching the absolute final phase of this match. For Westerlo it doesn’t really seem to be necessary anymore, while OHL is unable to make the crossing with nine.
The home team now starts to play all or nothing, although finding the free man seems almost impossible with nine. Will the visitors kill the match completely on the counter-attack?
2024-05-25 21:59:26
#Nineman #Leuven #ends #season #Westerlo #note #small #battle
