One more match which risks leaving traces on morale. While Standard had everything in hand to win in Sint-Truiden, it completely faltered at the end of the match to finally concede two goals and a spectacular but frustrating draw (3-3). In the standings, the Liégeois, still without a victory in these play-offs, are standing still. The Ivan Leko pressure cooker still risks exploding…
And yet, this time, we really believed that the Rouches had everything in hand to win. Much more determined than last weekend at home against OHL (0-0), they reacted perfectly when Eric Bocat found the opening after three minutes.
Wilfried Kangain foxing of surfaces, then William Balikisha in the 2nd half, allowed the Rouches to reverse the trend. Calm, they led 1-2 at the start of the money-time. When Kanga took advantage of a big Trudonnaire error to offer himself a double and plant the 1-3, we even believed that the Liégeois were flying away for good.
But that was without counting on the dazzling burst of pride from Saint-Trond in the final minutes. It is Adriano Bertaccini, mounted a few minutes earlier, who was the quickest in the area to restart the suspense, before Fatih Kayaalso a super-sub of the coach Thorsten Fincksends Standard back on the ropes by equalizing at the dawn of stoppage time.
A goal which seals the score of a completely crazy match and, above all, illustrates the immense excitement of Standard. The Rouches held on to their victory but finally took another blow on the pot by faltering at the worst moment. One more, at the end of a decidedly dull season.
Ah yes, we couldn’t even mention that the imperial Arnaud Bodart took a penalty on the hour mark. And the referee gave… 12 minutes of added time, proof that this match is off to a good start in all directions. To the great dismay of Standard, therefore, which plunges head first into its own doubts.
