It’s too remarkable to ignore: Union has a hard time winning at home. Also against KV Oostende (1-1), after a dominant second half. Unnecessary and sour loss of points.
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‘Nowhere better than at home’, is the tear-off calendar, and although Union has a formidable following and a charming stadium, it is not true for the league leader these days. Union’s last victory for its own fans already dates back to January, when it was right in the Dudenpark Anderlecht. “It’s high time to spoil our supporters once again,” said Felice Mazzu for KV Oostende. In other words: it’s high time to win again in Vorst, after beating STVV (0-1) and Eupen (0-0).
There was no lack of good will, nor was there any enthusiasm in the stands, but it was still KV Oostende that took the lead. And how: Max D’Arpino drove the ball into the square with a tight long shot. A frustrating moment for Anthony Moris. He had no work for the entire first half and was beaten anyway. KVO goalie Scherpen also had little to do on the other side. Union did not create opportunities.
Is it true or not, that will soon be seen, but it is whispered that Yves Vanderhaeghe will not be allowed to stay with KVO at the end of this season. If that is the case, then Vanderhaeghe can pat himself on the back. He quickly got a team that isn’t overflowing with talent into safe waters. Was it always sparkling? No. But the group of players by the sea simply does not possess the class that can be admired elsewhere in 1A. We’re just saying something: there is no Mitoma in Ostend.
– Photo: BELGA
The Japanese do have Mazzu: he is the ideal can opener. No wonder, then, that the winger was allowed to come in at half time to force something. Union was given little space, Mitoma brings depth and has an action, he could turn the match around with an acceleration or a dribble. That seemed to work quite soon: Mitoma made the 1-1, but the linesman had seen offside beforehand.
Even without an equaliser, Mitoma Union delivered a new dynamic. There was more vigor and intensity than before the break, when it was all too sluggish. Union also claimed a penalty kick: Albanese gave brand new Red Devil Van der Heyden a push, referee D’Hondt saw no violation. You will have referees and video refs who judge a phase differently: KVO got away with it.
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Photo: BELGA
We can also use those words in an attempt by Teuma. The speaker almost announced the 1-1, the whole stadium was celebrating, but the ball got stuck in an improbable way in front of the goal line, where Medley was able to clear. Not much later, Undav missed twice. Union would have already deserved a tie by then.
Ostend barely crossed the center line, even water Gueye came to defend. It was sink or swim, with more luck than skill: it was often ‘just not’ for Union. Not least with Undav, until minute 82: he coolly headed in a cross from substitute François. Remarkable: it was only Undav’s fifth goal at home, and it is not that he rarely scores (25 goals already).
Despite the 1-1 we can gradually talk about a kind of home complex at Union. On displacement it has 41 points out of 48, compared to 30 at home. Union is not yet mathematically certain of the first place after the regular season due to the draw. But if it can maintain the level of those last 45 minutes, you’ll be fine.
