OHL Standings: Union’s Tight Grip on Top Spot

Deprived of several starters, Union Saint-Gilloise had difficulty getting started against OHL. The arabesques of Guilherme Smith, on the left, will pose a problem for Oscar Gil but the Brazilian does not always make the right choice.

Opportunities are lacking on both sides, and the first alert is even in favor of OHL: Siebe Schrijvers, on a free kick on the right side, sends the second ball just over (21st). On the other hand, Tobe Leysen must still come out in front of Ait El Hadj after a great action by Patris (25th).

The Union was hot at Den Dreef

The same Ait El Hadj will then miss himself on another good ball (32nd), but Unionist opportunities are rare despite possession. On the contrary, OHL, aware that there is a chance to play against this diminished leader, believes in it: Schrijvers strikes above again (28th), Akimoto places a header just wide (38th). The Louvanists will have obtained the best opportunities of the first period.

But it will be nothing compared to the second: the Union does not return to the pitch any more inspired. Even in terms of concentration, David Hubert’s men are not there, and Schrijvers takes the opportunity to find Maziz on a quickly played free kick – the latter finds the post (51st).

Even bigger alert two minutes later: Smith touches the ball with his hand in his rectangle before restarting… but the penalty initially whistled is canceled after Mr Allaert consulted the VAR, which earned a red card to Tibor Balog, assistant to Felice Mazzù (55th).

The Union was hot, and reacted: finally, a real opportunity arises, caused by a superb dribble from Raul Florucz on the right – but Zorgan’s recovery narrowly goes over (63rd). The Algerian found Leysen a little later with another shot, this time on target (68th).

Van de Perre suspended against Bruges

A highlight which quickly ends: Van de Perre is forced to commit a gross foul on the excellent Sakamoto, is booked (he will therefore miss the match against Bruges) and on the following free kick, Noé Dussenne goes very close to 1-0 (70th). Poor Van de Perre is furious: he had to help out in the middle of the defense this evening, following the suspensions already of Sykes and Mac Allister.

Despite the changes made by Hubert (and in particular the few centers signed Zeneli), OHL continues to be the best team on the field: Traoré passes a successful control almost a face-to-face with Scherpen (80th), who himself goes offside almost committing a penalty in his turn (89th).

All in all, at the end of a crazy extra time which saw OHL multiply the opportunities to finally score, the Union did well, very well with this final 0-0… which was enough to stay in the lead. For how long?