Jupiler Pro League
On the final day of the regular competition, Cercle Brugge and Genk still secured a ticket for the Champions’ Play-offs. Ghent and Mechelen have to make peace with the Europe Play-offs. At the bottom, OH Leuven saves itself at the expense of Charleroi.
The final day of the regular competition has brought the promised suspense. AA Gent briefly imagined itself in the Champions’ Play-offs in the final phase of a 5-0 victory against Charleroi, but a late goal by Bryan Heynen for Genk in Westerlo put an end to the Buffalo’s recovery. During Westerlo-Genk’s injury time, both teams knocked the ball around, causing Ghent to miss out on the top play-offs for the fourth year in a row.
Despite a forfeit defeat, Ghent misses the Champions’ Play-offs: 5–0
AA Gent did what it had to do by taking a 1-0 lead against Sporting Charleroi with half time in sight. Matias Fernandez headed the clean sheet after 38 minutes. Omri Gandelman, who soon came on for Pieter Gerkens, put the 2-0 on the scoreboard in the Ghelamco Arena just before the break, shortly afterwards he scored the completely reassuring 3-0 and a few minutes later he completed his hat trick: 4-0. Another ten minutes later came his fourth of the evening: 5-0. Before that, he had scored two in the competition. Charleroi became the loser of the evening, as OHL won 1-0 against KV Mechelen in the end, sending the Karolos to the Play-downs.
Cercle Brugge easily wins against the tail team RWDM and can prepare for Champions’ Play-offs: 4–0
Cercle Brugge took the lead after just four minutes, thanks to who else than top scorer Kévin Denkey. Competition goal number 23 this season for the 23-year-old Togolese international, who is more than likely in his last months with the Association. After 22 minutes, the people of Bruges had a double lead. Edgaras Utkus scored the 2-0 after a corner kick. Shortly after the break, Ecuadorian striker Alan Minda scored 3-0 and the match was over. Thibo Somers made it 4-0 in the end. Season revelation Cercle can go to the Champions’ Play-off.
Genk needs a draw for Champions’ Play-offs: 1–0
The people of Genk were always assured of a place in the top play-off with a win, but they made it difficult for themselves in the quiet Kempen. The zero remained on the board for a long time and twenty minutes before the end of regular playing time, Genk also had to continue with one man less, after the exclusion of Christopher Bonsu Baah. For a moment it seemed to be a particularly sour evening for the Limburgers, when Ravil Tagir made it 1-0 for the Kempen team and Genk was virtually in the second play-off. A few minutes later, Bryan Heynen kicked the current vice-champion into the Champions’ Play-off. In added time the match ended with a salon draw. The results of the other matches were already known: with a division of points, Westerlo was saved and Genk was in the highest play-off. In the final minutes the ball was merely tapped around.
Nsingi saves OHL, which goes to the Europe Play-offs: 1–0
Both KV Mechelen and OH Leuven had to win today for a place in the Champions’ Play-offs and the Europe Play-offs respectively. For a long time it looked like both teams would lose this match, after a scoreless draw. Nsingi finally took control in added time and scored the 1-0 for Leuven. Mechelen is not allowed to go to the Champions’ Play-offs after a 23 out of 30 after New Year.
Another loss of points for Union after a draw in Antwerp: 1-1 After Anderlecht’s painful loss against low-flying Kortrijk, Union and Antwerp were able to do well in the rankings. Antwerp opened the game with a lot of pressure going forward. Union remained in the organization and so opportunities were scarce. In addition to the many tough duels, there were a lot of sloppy things to note. In the eightieth minute, Nilsson headed in a corner kick from Puertas and the Brussels team seemed to win another game in the end. That was without Church, who was able to score the equalizer in the added time.
