Croky CupThe cup holder drooped off with a blush of shame on his cheeks. AA Gent has been knocked out in its quarterfinals by a machine called Union Saint-Gilloise. After one half the match was over: 3-0. Here you go. Lazare added another one after coffee to push the knife all the way into the wound. 4-0 and Union tomorrow together with KV Mechelen, Zulte Waregem and Antwerp in the drum for the draw of the semifinals (12h).
LOOK. All highlights from Union-AA Ghent
The peace had not yet arrived and fireworks were already set off in the Dudenpark, behind the large standing grandstand. Yes, even then Union could celebrate the qualification for the semi-finals. After an all-powerful first half by the team from Brussels, it was 3-0 after 45 minutes – three-nil! – against cup holder AA Gent. With their heads down, the Buffalos headed for the dressing room, where Hein Vanhaezebrouck undoubtedly followed a thunderous sermon.
His team almost immediately faced a difficult – and ultimately impossible – assignment. On a corner kick from Adingra, Nilsson shook off his attacker Okumu all too easily and he headed in (1-0). Nice entry for Vanzeir’s replacement, who is struggling with his knee.
Union was lord and master. In midfield, Teuma, Lynen and Lazare trumped the Ghent trio Kums, Odjidja and Hong. Show animal Lapoussin, subbed in for the injured Adingra, was eager and made Okumu and co. tremble with fright. There was danger from every Brussels attack, while AA Gent could only threaten superficially.
Vanhaezebrouck chose the tandem Depoitre-Fofana in the front. One striker (34) twice as old as the other (17). That was not a success. Fofana had a few moments, but was mostly in the back pocket of Sykes and Machida. And what about Depoitre? ‘Good old Lolo’ is getting worn out – no one can deny that anymore. He experienced a nightmare. Bad passes, immature in the box. Vanhaezebrouck’s reaction when his striker once again lost the ball said it all: he ostentatiously grabbed his head. ‘I can’t believe it,’ you saw him think.
Just past the half hour, Nilsson put away another dramatic Okumu. Lapoussin was able to pass, via Boniface Lazare came into shooting position and he hit: 2-0. The Dudenpark sang, jumped and enjoyed. And it wasn’t done yet. Kums choked on the ball and Lynen tapped Boniface perfectly. The strong bear of Union did not hesitate face to face with Nardi: 3-0. Down for the Buffalos. Chairman Ivan De Witte and Michel Louwagie watched dubiously from the main stand. Where has that excellent football AA Gent from the end of last season gone? In recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about the cup in the Ghent dressing room. ‘Winning for the second time in a row: how nice wouldn’t that be?’ However, they were soon allowed to put that dream away.
Vanhaezebrouck made three substitutions at halftime. Depoitre, Fofana and Odjidja paid the price. Cuypers, Salah and De Sart had to try and force something. However, it didn’t make much of a difference. On the contrary. The chalice apparently had to be emptied to the bottom, because Ngadeu took his second yellow card. AA Gent couldn’t get anything done with ten. Not that that was the case with eleven. The Buffalos were outclassed in all areas by the people of Brussels, just as was already the case in the competition. Lazare made it even worse with the 4-0 in extra time.
Union can prepare for the semi-finals (outward: February 1/2, return March 1/2). Will we also get fireworks in the Dudenpark? And afterwards on the Heysel?
LOOK. At AA Gent they completely lose sight of 1m96 Nilsson
LOOK. Lazare makes it 2-0 after a nice attack
LOOK. Boniface takes full advantage of Kums’ blunder
LOOK. Deep in the end, Lazare also makes it 4-0
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.