Jupiler Pro LeagueAntwerp did what it had to do on Saturday evening. In a fairly low-spectacle match, AA Gent defeated 2-0. The 1-0 came early through Balikwisha, Janssen crossed the line from the spot. Some ink will flow over that penalty.
A well-filled Tawny Owl immediately opened the throats collectively, but it was AA Gent that caused the first threat. After a good action by Salah, Cuypers was able to head the ball back in front of goal. Sven Kums headed on the crossbar. Immediately a great opportunity, but it did not do more than shake Antwerp up. Avila tested Nardi’s reflexes with a surprising bang and The Great Old shifted up a gear. Janssen kicked diagonally in front of goal, Torunarigha cleared the ball, but did not get further than the feet of the onrushing Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The young winger placed the ball beautifully past a hopeless Nardi in the corner. 1-0 after barely ten minutes.
After that, Antwerp did not really push through. It was mainly AA Gent that provided the home team with attacking opportunities due to tampering in the back. Once Ngadeu and Okumu’s bad passes reached double digits, we stopped counting dejectedly. It is a phenomenon of this season with the troops of Vanhaezebrouck. Often the Ghent defense gets hottest when they are in possession of the ball themselves. Ngadeu tried to clear a ball with a bicycle kick, Okumu preferred to play into the opponent and thus created a three against two, both actions were not used by Mark Van Bommel’s troops. Nardi shot the most striking camel. He let an easy ball slip out of his hands and therefore had to place his studs on Vincent Janssen’s ankles. Jordan Torunarigha, the best-combining Gent defender, was unfortunately unable to play with an ankle injury.
The break was reached with a deserved 1-0 score. The decline in spectacle value that was already noticeable before the break continued tirelessly. A dubious penalty kick was needed to bring some enthusiasm into the game. Godeau got the ball against the arm or against the head. Even on four repetitions it was not easy to see and so Lothar D’Hondt had to stick to his decision. Ball on the dot and Janssen behind the ball. He took revenge for his aching ankles on the back-and-forth dancing Nardi with a aimed bang in the left corner. The latter would have more than enough to do with attempts by Ekkelenkamp, Bataille and Alderweireld. The latter even cut his husband nicely. And AA Ghent? That countered an attempt from Hjulsager, but Butez stood firm.
For Antwerp, the business 2-0 is already good. It is again level with Union, albeit with one more match played. In addition, The Great Old once again hits AA Gent, which sees the gap with Antwerp grow to eight points and has to wait anxiously on Sunday whether the rest of the top four will run further away.
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